The Gloria by Francis Poulenc, FP 177, scored for soprano solo, large orchestra, and chorus, is a setting of the Gloria text from the mass ordinary. One of Poulenc's most celebrated works, it was commissioned by the Koussevitsky Foundation in honor of Sergei Koussevitzky and his wife Natalia, the namesakes of the foundation. Gloria reflects Poulenc's deep spirituality and his personal connection to the Catholic faith, while also showcasing his mastery of orchestral color and texture. The composition opens with a sweeping, jubilant proclamation of glory, followed by contrasting sections that explore a range of emotional states, from serene devotion to raucous celebration. The work’s final movement builds to an electrifying conclusion, with the full orchestra and chorus uniting in a stirring crescendo that emphasizes both the sacred and the dramatic elements of Poulenc’s musical voice. It remains a cornerstone of 20th-century choral repertoire, revered for its rich emotional depth and the seamless fusion of the divine and the human.

The work is divided into six movements as follows:

    Gloria in excelsis Deo (G major)
    Laudamus te (C major)
    Domine Deus, Rex caelestis (B minor)
    Domine Fili unigenite (G major)
    Domine Deus, Agnus Dei (B-flat minor)
    Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris (G major)