Poulenc / Alain / Durufle

Released by Erato in 1998, this recording brings together cornerstone works for organ and orchestra by three French twentieth-century composers: Francis Poulenc, Jehan Alain, and Maurice Duruflé. The album serves as a definitive showcase for the organist Marie-Claire Alain, a central figure in the mid-century revival of French organ music, who collaborated with the Bamberger Symphoniker under the direction of Jean-Jacques Kantorow to capture these technically demanding and coloristically rich scores.

The disc highlights the evolution of the French organ concerto tradition, anchored by Poulenc's iconic Organ Concerto in G minor. The inclusion of works by Jehan Alain, Marie-Claire's brother, adds a personal and historical dimension, reflecting the family's deep connection to the instrument's repertoire. The recording was well-received by critics for its clarity and the high fidelity of the Erato production, which managed to balance the formidable power of the Bamberger Symphoniker with the nuanced, virtuosic performance of the soloist.