Credits:

Francois Chaplin, Guy Touvron, Alexandre Tharaud (Pf), Jacques Mauger, Ronald Van Spaendonck, Herve Joulain, Andre Moisan, Laurent Lefevre

Description:

First, please enjoy Poulencs works for two pianos or four hands (on a single piano)pieces that are often said to showcase his true talents even more than his solo piano works. Masquerade and Departure for the Isle of Cythera are pure joy! Their carefree brightness is sprinkled throughout his signature wit, making them incredibly delightful. On the other hand, the sonatas unfold a more profound and grandiose symphonic world, offering a rich and substantial listening experience. The album concludes with a sharp contrast: sonatas for wind instruments alone, without piano. These piecesparticularly the two for woodwindshave a rather austere flavor, if you will; the sparse notes are skillfully interwoven, resulting in a rather serious and profound finish.

Tracklisting: