Poulenc Organ Concerto - The Scotsman

Best known for his ballet scores and a brace of operas, Francis Poulenc's other main distinction is his organ concerto - the only work of its kind to enter the standard repertoire since the era of Handel. Unusual enough, but with its orchestral scoring for string and percussion only, this work really is a one-off. It is also pompous and rather derivative (Tchaikovsky, Handel and Bach all spring to mind) but the lyrical sweep of the Poulenc's melodic line is pretty irresistible. Gillian Weir and the ECO clearly have a blast in this (typically from Linn) sonically superb recording.