George Pretre plays Poulenc

Georges Prêtre (1924-2017) was one of the most important French conductors of his generation and was praised for both his operas and his orchestral music. The former music director of the Opera of Paris conducted the major orchestras in Europe and the US. Before becoming the favorite conductor of Maria Callas, he was also a favorite of Francis Poulenc, who entrusted him with the premieres of many of his scores. This box, which brings together all works of Poulenc documented by Prêtre in the EMI catalog, reveals the many facets of his music: genuine, spontaneous, moving and capable of astonishing contrasting registers.