Celebrate the centenary of Benjamin Britten's birth with this captivating collection, released on June 1, 2014, as part of the Britten 100 series. This first volume offers a compelling journey through Britten's diverse musical landscape, showcasing his mastery across classical, choral, and operatic genres.
The album opens with Britten's Serenade, Op. 31, a hauntingly beautiful suite for tenor and string orchestra, featuring evocative movements like "Pastoral," "Nocturne," and "Elegy." The second half presents Les illuminations, Op. 18, a vibrant song cycle based on the poetry of Arthur Rimbaud, performed with the London Symphony Orchestra. This collection highlights Britten's unique ability to blend lyrical melodies with rich, expressive harmonies, creating a profound and engaging listening experience.
With a total runtime of 46 minutes, this album provides a concise yet comprehensive introduction to Britten's extraordinary musical legacy. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to his work, this collection is sure to captivate and inspire.
Tracks
Serenade, Op. 31: No. 1. PrologueBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dennis Brain, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Serenade, Op. 31: No. 2. PastoralBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dennis Brain, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Serenade, Op. 31: No. 3. NocturneBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dennis Brain, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Serenade, Op. 31: No. 4. ElegyBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dennis Brain, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Serenade, Op. 31: No. 5. DirgeBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dennis Brain, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Serenade, Op. 31: No. 6. HymnBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dennis Brain, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Serenade, Op. 31: No. 7. SonnetBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dennis Brain, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Serenade, Op. 31: No. 8. EpilogueBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dennis Brain, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 1. FanfareBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 2. VillesBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 3. PhraseBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 4. AntiqueBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 4. RoyauteBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 5. MarineBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 6. InterludeBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 7. Being BeauteousBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 8. ParadeBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 9. DepartBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, New Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Goossens
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