Figure Humaine

Der Chor gibt die jeweiligen Stimmungen der Sätze oder Passagen angemessen wieder: tänzerisch in 'Marie' ('Sept Chansons'), nachdenklich in 'De grandes cuillers de neige' ('Un soir de neige') oder hämisch in 'Riant du ciel et des planètes' ('Figure humaine'). Die Intonation ist makellos, der Chorklang angenehm weich und harmonisch, die Phrasierungen stimmig und rund.

De opname is van bekende Channel-Classics-klasse, de uitvoerenden (..) van wereldniveau onder leiding van Peter Dijkstra. (...) Nogmaals hulde!

Onder leiding van de jonge, talentvolle Nederlandse chef-dirigent Peter Dijkstra zingt het Zweeds Radio Koor vier ronduit schitterende koorwerken van Poulenc. Tegelijkertijd laat het horen waarom het geldt als één van de beste kamerkoren ter wereld. (...) Meesterwerken.

De opname is op het eerste gehoor confronterend direct. Maar het komt de zeggingskracht van de muziek ten goede. De Zweedse zangers leveren ongelooflijk knap gezongen uitvoeringen, waarin de harmonische ontwikkelingen zo zijn gedrapeerd en gestapeld dat er fantastische sonoriteiten ontstaan, die soms zelfs grenzen aan rauwe, bijna uitgekreten spreekkoren. (...) een hartstochtelijke ode aan de vrijheid.

De Nederlandse koordirigent Peter Dijkstra kneedt het Swedish Radio Choir tot topprestaties (...). De opname is heel direct, maar dat maakt het alleen maar spannender (...)

The ethereal solo contributions of soprano Jessica Bäcklund and alto Christiane Höjlund in the ‘Agnus Dei’ deserve special mention. (...) Channel Classic’s superb DSD recording made in the Musikaliska, Stockholm presents the choir in a spacious acoustic that accommodates the huge dynamic range of the singing without strain. (...) This challenging, but rewarding disc is confidently recommended.
Performance ***** Sonics*****

The Mass, performed with unusual power as well as the expected gentle lucidity, gives this CD an arresting start (...) To have all four works you can confidently choose this new release.

Ribbons of joy fly brightly through the Gloria and Sanctus of the Mass from 1937. (…) Peter Dijkstra keeps the music moving and flowing (…)

The 35-voice choir makes a suitably full-bodied sound, yet keeps the individual lines clean and clear and the textures rich and vibrant, confirming once again the reasons that make us not only so happy to listen but that also make us want to sing. Channel Classics' Jared Sacks has been recording choirs for a long time--and as one of the first to fully appreciate, understand, and utilize the potential of digital recording, he consistently produces demonstration-quality recordings that present the performers in an acoustic setting that's most favorable to their art and to their music. This is no exception--and although there are many alternatives in the CD catalog--from Accentus, The Sixteen, The Netherlands Chamber Choir, to name a few--they lack just that slight, vibrant edge and exuberance characterized in these performances, which should find a place in every choral music lover's library. Highly recommended.

This is a first-rate disc of some of Poulenc’s finest music. (...) The radiance and resonance of the singing is altogether exceptional and Dijkstra’s conducting moulds the music lovingly but never indulgently. (...) it’s great to hear Poulenc’s tricky choral writing rendered with such control and beauty of tone. (...)