Psaume 24 / Faust Et Helene / D'Un Soir Triste
Lili Boulanger's setting of the 130th Psalm is a choral masterpiece. Tortelier and his forces deliver a vivid performance, recorded with tremendous presence. There is even more power in the oldMarkevich performance, done under Nadia Boulanger's supervision, but the superior Chandos recording makes a difference.Faust et Hélèneis a somewhat immature student work (a strange qualification for music by a composer who died at 24), but it is also well performed. The remaining music represents Boulanger's visionary eloquence. This disc is highly recommended as an introduction to a great composer. After you hear it, try the Everest disc, despite the duplications. It contains Boulanger's deathbed Pie Jesu, a brief piece of such intense power that it will leave most listeners in tears.--Leslie Gerber