Various Composers - Cocteau's Music (Claire Booth; Christopher Glynn)

Information

• Francis Poulenc - La Dame de Monte Carlo
• Francis Poulenc - Cocardes
• Louis Durey - Prière (from Chansons Basques)
• Arthur Honegger - Locutions (from Six poésies de Jean Cocteau)
• Maurice Delage - Sobre las olas
• Frédéric Chaslin - Valse langoureuse (from Chansons pour Elle)
• Darius Milhaud - Caramel Mou
• Guy Sacré - Que ne suis-je un de cette Egypte (from Clair-Obscur)
• Georges Auric - Hommage à Erik Satie (from Huit Poèmes de Jean Cocteau)
• Francis Poulenc - La Voix Humaine
• Johann Sebastian Bach, Jean Cocteau - Prelude in B Minor (arr. Siloti) / Visite (extract: from Discours du grand sommeil)

Claire Booth, soprano

Christopher Glynn, piano

Date: 2026

Label: Orchid Classics

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This conceptually driven album offers an intimate, multi-faceted portrait of the restless polymath Jean Cocteau by exploring his recurring fixations on love, death, dependence, and abandonment. Navigating a diverse terrain of melodrama, cabaret, prayer, and theater, the program juxtaposes high art with popular culture to reveal the artist beneath his shifting personas. At the center is La Voix Humaine, Cocteau’s intense exploration of heartbreak and fractured communication. Complementing this masterpiece is a curated selection of songs by his close artistic circle, including Poulenc, Milhaud, Honegger, and Auric, resulting in a poignant, affection-filled homage rather than a dry historical survey.

Claire Booth is one of Britain’s most versatile and acclaimed sopranos, celebrated for her expressive artistry, dramatic intensity, and exceptionally broad repertoire spanning from early Baroque opera to contemporary music. Renowned for her work on both the operatic stage and concert platform, she has performed leading roles with major companies including Welsh National Opera, Scottish Opera, English National Opera, and the Royal Opera House. A passionate advocate for new music, Booth has premiered more than 70 works by contemporary composers, including Oliver Knussen, Elliott Carter, and Unsuk Chin. Her 2024–25 season features major premieres, recitals, and orchestral appearances, alongside recordings marking the 150th anniversary of Arnold Schoenberg. In addition to her extensive recording career, Booth is an active broadcaster for BBC Radio 3 and serves as a mentor and course director for emerging musicians through educational initiatives at Britten Pears Arts.

Grammy Award-winning pianist Christopher Glynn is highly acclaimed for his sensitivity, energy, and revelatory performances across a prolific global career. Educated at Oxford and trained under renowned mentors, Glynn has won prestigious accompaniment accolades including the Gerald Moore and Kathleen Ferrier awards. He frequently performs at elite international venues like Carnegie Hall and Wigmore Hall, partnering with legendary vocalists, chamber ensembles, actors, and historical instrument specialists. A regular broadcaster on BBC Radio 3, his diverse discography spans major classical labels. Moving forward, Glynn maintains an active schedule of international tours, premieres, and high-profile collaborations.