As a young composer, Francis Poulenc (1899–1963) was known for his ebullient spirit. Even after the deaths of two close friends sparked a return to Catholicism, the composer retained a mischievous temperament. “In Poulenc,” observed the critic Claude Rostand, “there is something of the monk and something of the rascal.”
At 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 4, more than 100 musicians from the Washington University Symphony Orchestra and the Washington University Choirs will join forces to perform Poulenc’s celebrated “Gloria” (1961) as part of the 2016 Chancellor’s Concert.
Inspired by the Latin Gloria in excelsis Deo, Poulenc’s masterwork is at once devout and humorous, playful and transcendent. In writing it, the composer observed, he was inspired by “frescoes in which the angels stick out their tongues” as well as “the serious Benedictines whom I saw playing soccer …”
Also on the program will be excerpts from “Symphonie Fantastique” (1830) by Hector Berlioz (1803–1869) and from Harp Concerto in A (1779) by Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf (1739–1799). Featured in the latter will be harpist Helen Fox, a freshman in Arts & Sciences and winner of the Friends of Music Concerto Competition last fall.
The 2016 Chancellor’s Concert is presented by the Department of Music in Arts & Sciences. It will take place in the E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall of the 560 Music Center. Nicole Aldrich, director of choral activities, leads the WashU Choirs. Steven Jarvi conducts the WashU Symphony Orchestra. Sandra Geary is accompanist for the choir.
The 560 Music Center is located at 560 Trinity Ave., at the intersection with Delmar Boulevard. For more information, call 314-935-5566 or email daniels@wustl.edu.
