Without Despair

'Harmonia mundi has struck oil ...'

Poulenc described his Stabat Mater (1950) as a 'requiem without despair'. It followed the death of prominent Parisian designer Christian Bérard (1902-1949) and is dedicated to the Black Virgin of Rocamadour. As early as 1936 Poulenc had visited Rocamadour with voice teacher Yvonne Gouverné (1890-1982).

The Stabat Mater clearly reveals a line of descent from the French grands motets (cultivated at the height of the French baroque)...