Discover the captivating world of Benjamin Britten with this compelling collection of his lesser-known works, now brought to life by NMC Recordings. Released on July 1, 2015, this album offers a unique journey through Britten's diverse compositional styles, spanning classical, neoclassical, and choral genres.
The album opens with Britten's enchanting song cycle "Les illuminations," a setting of Rimbaud's poetry that showcases the composer's mastery of vocal and orchestral writing. This is followed by three additional songs from the cycle, orchestrated by Colin Matthews, providing a fresh perspective on these captivating pieces.
The second half of the album delves into Britten's instrumental works, featuring the "Rondo concertante" and "In Memoriam Dennis Brain," both completed by Colin Matthews. These pieces highlight Britten's skill in crafting intricate and expressive music for solo instruments and orchestra. The album also includes the "Variations for Piano," offering a glimpse into Britten's pianistic prowess, and the "Movements for a Clarinet Concerto," which demonstrate his ability to create evocative and engaging music for wind instruments.
With a total runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes, this album is a testament to Britten's enduring appeal and his ability to create music that resonates with audiences. Whether you're a longtime fan of Britten's work or a newcomer to his music, this collection offers a fascinating exploration of the composer's lesser-known pieces, providing a fresh perspective on his enduring legacy.
Tracks
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 1, FanfareBenjamin Britten, Sandrine Piau, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 2, VillesBenjamin Britten, Sandrine Piau, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 3a, PhraseBenjamin Britten, Sandrine Piau, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 3b, AntiqueBenjamin Britten, Sandrine Piau, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 4, RoyautéBenjamin Britten, Sandrine Piau, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 5, MarineBenjamin Britten, Sandrine Piau, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 6, InterludeBenjamin Britten, Sandrine Piau, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 7, Being BeauteousBenjamin Britten, Sandrine Piau, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 8, ParadeBenjamin Britten, Sandrine Piau, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
Les illuminations, Op. 18: No. 9, DépartBenjamin Britten, Sandrine Piau, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
3 Songs for “Les illuminations” (Orch. by Colin Matthews): No. 1, PhraseBenjamin Britten, Sandrine Piau, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
3 Songs for “Les illuminations” (Orch. by Colin Matthews): No. 2, AubeBenjamin Britten, Sandrine Piau, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
3 Songs for “Les illuminations” (Orch. by Colin Matthews): No. 3, À une raisonBenjamin Britten, Sandrine Piau, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
Rondo concertante (Completed by Colin Matthews): I. Allegro moltoBenjamin Britten, Rolf Hind, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
Rondo concertante (Completed by Colin Matthews): II. LentoBenjamin Britten, Rolf Hind, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
In Memoriam Dennis Brain (Completed by Colin Matthews): I. IntroductionBenjamin Britten, Michael Thompson, Richard Watkins, Peter Francomb, Chris Griffiths, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
In Memoriam Dennis Brain (Completed by Colin Matthews): II. AllegroBenjamin Britten, Michael Thompson, Richard Watkins, Peter Francomb, Chris Griffiths, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
Untitled FragmentBenjamin Britten, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
Variations for Piano (1965): I. Like an ImprovisationBenjamin Britten, Rolf Hind
Variations for Piano (1965): II. —Benjamin Britten, Rolf Hind
Variations for Piano (1965): III. Quick & LightBenjamin Britten, Rolf Hind
Variations for Piano (1965): IV. —Benjamin Britten, Rolf Hind
Variations for Piano (1965): V. QuietlyBenjamin Britten, Rolf Hind
Variations for Piano (1965): VI. QuickBenjamin Britten, Rolf Hind
Movements for a Clarinet Concerto: I. Molto allegro (Completed by Colin Matthews)Benjamin Britten, Michael Collins, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
Movements for a Clarinet Concerto: II. Vivace (After "Mazurka elegiaca") [Arr. for Clarinet & Orchestra by Colin Matthews]Benjamin Britten, Michael Collins, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
Movements for a Clarinet Concerto: III. Passacaglia (After Fragment of "Sonata for Orchestra") [Arr. for Clarinet & Orchestra by Colin Matthews]Benjamin Britten, Michael Collins, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Thomas Zehetmair
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