Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Benjamin Britten's masterful compositions with this captivating album, released on August 19, 2022, under the Harmonia Mundi label. Spanning a duration of 1 hour and 14 minutes, this collection showcases Britten's profound musical genius across a variety of genres, including classical, requiem, opera, neoclassical, and choral.
The album features three of Britten's most celebrated works: "Les Illuminations," "Serenade," and "Nocturne." "Les Illuminations," Op. 18, is a hauntingly beautiful cycle of songs for tenor and string orchestra, set to the poetry of Arthur Rimbaud. This piece is divided into nine evocative movements, each offering a unique exploration of Rimbaud's vivid imagery and Britten's lyrical prowess. The "Serenade for Horn, Tenor and Strings," Op. 31, is a pastoral masterpiece that blends the mellow tones of the horn with the expressive range of the tenor voice, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere. The "Nocturne for Tenor, 7 Obbligato Instruments and Strings," Op. 60, completes the collection with its eight enchanting movements, each a delicate interplay of voice and instruments.
This album is a testament to Britten's ability to weave intricate musical narratives that resonate deeply with the human experience. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to Britten's work, this collection offers a profound and enriching listening experience. The meticulous attention to detail in the performances and the high-quality production values ensure that every nuance of Britten's compositions is brought to life. Dive into the world of Benjamin Britten and discover the timeless beauty of his musical legacy.
2022 harmonia mundi2022 harmonia mundi
Tracks
Les Illuminations for Tenor and String Orchestra, Op. 18: I. FanfareBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples
Les Illuminations for Tenor and String Orchestra, Op. 18: II. VillesBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples
Les Illuminations for Tenor and String Orchestra, Op. 18: III a. PhraseBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples
Les Illuminations for Tenor and String Orchestra, Op. 18: III b. AntiqueBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples
Les Illuminations for Tenor and String Orchestra, Op. 18: IV. RoyautéBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples
Les Illuminations for Tenor and String Orchestra, Op. 18: V. MarineBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples
Les Illuminations for Tenor and String Orchestra, Op. 18: VI. InterludeBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples
Les Illuminations for Tenor and String Orchestra, Op. 18: VII. Being BeauteousBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples
Les Illuminations for Tenor and String Orchestra, Op. 18: VIII. ParadeBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples
Les Illuminations for Tenor and String Orchestra, Op. 18: IX. DépartBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples
Serenade for Horn, Tenor and Strings, Op. 31: I. PrologueBenjamin Britten, Chris Parkes
Serenade for Horn, Tenor and Strings, Op. 31: II. PastoralBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples, Chris Parkes
Serenade for Horn, Tenor and Strings, Op. 31: III. NocturneBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples, Chris Parkes
Serenade for Horn, Tenor and Strings, Op. 31: IV. ElegyBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples, Chris Parkes
Serenade for Horn, Tenor and Strings, Op. 31: V. DirgeBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples, Chris Parkes
Serenade for Horn, Tenor and Strings, Op. 31: VI. HymnBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples, Chris Parkes
Serenade for Horn, Tenor and Strings, Op. 31: VII. SonnetBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples, Chris Parkes
Serenade for Horn, Tenor and Strings, Op. 31: VIII. EpilogueBenjamin Britten, Chris Parkes
Nocturne for Tenor, 7 Obbligato Instruments and Strings, Op. 60: I. On a poet's lips I sleptBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples
Nocturne for Tenor, 7 Obbligato Instruments and Strings, Op. 60: II. Below the thunders of the upper deepBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples, Fredrik Ekdahl
Nocturne for Tenor, 7 Obbligato Instruments and Strings, Op. 60: III. Encinctured with a twine of leavesBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples, Lisa Viguier Vallgårda
Nocturne for Tenor, 7 Obbligato Instruments and Strings, Op. 60: IV. Midnight's bell goes ting, ting, tingBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples, Chris Parkes
Nocturne for Tenor, 7 Obbligato Instruments and Strings, Op. 60: V. But that night when on my bed I layBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples, Tomas Nilsson
Nocturne for Tenor, 7 Obbligato Instruments and Strings, Op. 60: VI. She sleeps on soft, last breathsBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples, Sofi Berner
Nocturne for Tenor, 7 Obbligato Instruments and Strings, Op. 60: VII. What is more gentle than a wind in summer?Benjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples, Anders Jonhäll, Andreas Sundén
Nocturne for Tenor, 7 Obbligato Instruments and Strings, Op. 60: VIII. When most I wink, then do mine eyes best seeBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Staples
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