I have to say this is some of the most beautiful and moving choral singing I have ever heard. I suppose you could query the performance of the secular items in a resonant church. But it doesn't worry me, given the spirit and energy of the singing. Words too are crystal clear, with excellent French.

the Danish National Vocal Ensemble face some pretty stiff competition with his disc of unaccompanied Poulenc but they do not just hold their own; they sweep a lot of it aside. Under Stephen Layton's perceptive and often inspired direction, they capture the essential dichotomy of Poulenc's writing...this is a one-disc Poulenc compendium no Poulencophile should be without.

It really is a superb disc, one of the finest collections of unaccompanied Poulenc choral music I have heard...Intonation is absolutely impeccable, and the vocal blend is perfect. The words, too, are very clear, with only the odd vowel, especially at the end of words such as “puisque” or “l’éternité”, betraying the fact that these are not native French speakers.

This is music which can make life feel worth living. Stephen Layton’s Danish choir give exemplary performances. At times there’s a welcome edge to the sound, a toughness, coupled with superb control...Fabulous, in other words.