Poulenc’s masterpiece is recorded in an unrivalled performance by the combined choirs of St John’s, Clare and Gonville & Caius Colleges, Cambridge, the BBC Philharmonic, conducted by Christopher Robinson, with soprano Judith Howarth. Like the Stabat Mater, the Litanies à la Vierge Noir is also inspired by the sacred shrine of the Black Virgin of Rocamadour, and is sung on this disc by the Choirs of Clare and Caius Colleges, who combine also for the Quatre Motets pour un temps de pénitence. Filmed in atmospheric and beautiful surroundings, this title is completed with extra features made from the inspiring locations of Rocamadour.

TV Director: Ferenc van Damme

Plus


'Virtual Visit’ to the shrine of the Black Madonna of Rocamadour.
Documentary on Black Madonnas
32 page illustrated booklet in English, French and German with an in-depth article on Poulenc, Rocamadour and Black Madonnas.


Reviews
‘All three performances are excellent, and they are sensitively filmed...’
The Gramophone

‘The clarity of sound and picture, combined with an astonishingly high energy performance made my near-elderly pulse course with delight.’
Victor Lewis-Smith, Evening Standard

‘Television and transcendent experience rarely coincide, a fact of modern television broadcasting life that BBC Opus Arte attempts to redress in a very concentrated presentation of Poulenc: Stabat Mater and other sacred choral music and its rootedness in Marian mystery. The ‘extras’ included…defy the norm by adding value to the whole package, powerfully complementing the musical programme and offering genuine insights into the spiritual background to Poulenc’s work. In the disc’s documentary section, three ‘talking heads’ explore the history, symbolism and theology of the Black Madonna tradition in western religion and art. Transformation from death to life, ignorance to enlightenment, sorrow to consolation are among the ideas explored here, just as they are in Poulenc’s Stabat Mater and Litanies á la Vierge Noire, the latter directly inspired by personal tragedy and the solace delivered to the composer by his visit to the shrine of the Black Madonna at Rocamadour.
‘In this work’, Poulenc wrote about the Litanies, “I tried to depict the mood of ‘country devotion’ that so deeply struck me in that mountain locale. That is why this invocation must be sung simply, without pretension.” Under Geoffrey Webber’s unobtrusive direction, the Choirs of Clare and Gonville & Cauis Colleges, Cambridge, respect the composer’s wishes, their performance for this DVD distinguished by its clarity, avoidance of sentimentality and honest musicianship. For the Stabat Mater, the Clare and Cauis singers are augmented by the choristers and choral scholars of nearby St John’s College, corporately bringing a youthful vibrancy and energy to the music. As so often, Christopher Robinson conducts in a way that allows room for phrases to develop naturally, whether at slow or fast tempos. This Stabat Mater interpretation, enhanced by Judith Howarth’s rich, honey-toned soprano solos and alert playing from the BBC Philharmonic, can stand comparison with the finest in the record catalogue, while its visual presentation shades it ahead of the audio-only competition.’
Choir & Organ

‘…The two features consist of a ‘Black Madonna Documentary’ more than 18 minutes in duration, and a shorter ‘Virtual visit to Rocamadour’ featuring non-virtual but atmospheric footage of the rock and chapel, with soundtrack music by James Whitbourn inspired by Poulenc’s Stabat mater. The documentary gives voice to a number of important women commentators who have devoted considerable time and research to the religious/cultural phenomenon of Black Madonnas, and to Our Lady of Rocamadour in particular. One of these authorities, Petra van Cronenburg, also contributes the extensive and illuminating booklet notes – this is not a DVD that can be accused of scant documentation. It all makes for fascinating viewing and reading…
This provides a heady context for musical performances that lack nothing in robust, full-bodied commitment, though the characteristic English college choir sound provides an interesting aural counterpoint to Poulenc’s ascetic, yet highly perfumed religious idiom. Judith Howarth is the pure-toned soprano soloist in the Stabat mater… this is an attractive way in for listeners who might not otherwise gravitate to Poulenc’s sacred style.’
International Record Review

Awards & Accolades:
TOP 50 DVDS 2002 – Gramophone
Recommandé de Répertoire

CAT NO: OA 0817 D
FORMAT: All Formats
REGIONS: All Regions
PICTURE FORMAT: 16:9
LENGTH: 78 MINS
SOUND: DOLBY SURROUND / LPCM STEREO
SUBTITLES: EN/FR/DE/ES
RELEASED: 01/04/2002
NO OF DISCS: 1