Francis Poulenc: Figure Humaine / The Norwegian Soloists' Choir and conductor Grete Pedersen 

Excellent performance 🙏🏻 With love from Russia

A truly remarkable performance. I was in floods of tears at the moment of your Liberté...

In my opinion, this is a very special recording among those available on youtube. The final E major chord proclaiming liberty in such a strong and fundamental way, but the absolutely shocking and beautiful effect is that of the solo soprano high E note. The sound of the solo soprano in this recording first of all is in tune with the ensemble (unlike some other recordings on youtube where the high E notes are painfully flat, not naming any names). Second of all it is musically beautiful with a big open sound and free flowing vibrato sustained through the length of the tone. (Unlike most other recordings on youtube which are either thin or shrieking, and merely serve to confirm that the composer did indeed write that high E note in the score, but not achieving much artistic potential in the performance beyond that). Most important, on the foundation of this technical and musical quality, arrives the shocking effect from the high E note in the accoustics of the recording hall, giving space for that final high E note to be a proud proclamation of liberty and a longing cry for liberty, both at the same time. It brings a tear in the eye every time I listen to it. The choir and the soprano soloist should be proud of this recording!

Merveilleuse et radieuse interprétation de cette partition charmante et difficile . Souplesse , dynamique et clarté du texte soigné. Intonation, tempi et chant choral exemplaire. En un mot : superbe!

I. De tous les printemps du monde (2:28) II. En chantant, les servantes s'élancent (5:25​) III. Aussi bas que le silence (7:17​) IV. Toi ma patiente (8:59​) V. Riant du ciel et des planètes (11:04​) VI. Le jour m'étonne et la nuit me fait peur (12:07) VII. La menace sous le ciel rouge (13:49​) VIII. Liberté (16:36​)

This was just amazing. Probably Poulenc's greatest choral work. Thank you!

Dette er den vakreste musikalske tolkningen av Poulencs mesterverk at jeg noen gang har hørt. Uttalelsen din om fransk er perfekt :)) Tusen takk fra Frankrike! Merci infiniment

Amazing!

Amazing ❤

Gorgeous

Huge achievement, beautiful sound and some magical moments. Still I wonder if this conductor was the one to go through the learning process with the choir. Sometimes surprising tempos - for me - and kind of unusual (the arms mirroring each other) conducting. As if the choir sang somewhat independently from the conductor, from memory from the practices. Again, for me. And sorry to say, hardly any sign of personal, human connection between them. So my impression is about a great, first class choir - with a great conductor not on the pulpit but somewhere in the background (or just singing choir?) Please tell me, if I'm mistaken.

C'est bizarre, moi quand j'ai écouté, je n'ai rien senti.