Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Benjamin Britten's choral masterpieces with the album "Britten/Ceremony Of Carols." Released on December 29, 1995, under the Sony Classical label, this collection showcases Britten's extraordinary talent for blending sacred and secular themes into a harmonious tapestry of sound.
The album opens with the iconic "A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28," a festive and contemplative work that captures the spirit of the holiday season. This choral cycle, originally composed for harp and voices, is a staple of the choral repertoire and is beautifully rendered here. The album also features the exuberant "Rejoice in the Lamb, Festival Cantata, Op. 30," a celebration of joy and faith that showcases Britten's unique ability to convey both reverence and exuberance.
In addition to these larger works, the album includes a selection of Britten's shorter choral pieces, such as the serene "Hymn to the Virgin" and the introspective "Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27." These works demonstrate Britten's versatility and his deep understanding of the human condition.
The album also includes the "Missa Brevis, Op. 63," a concise yet powerful setting of the Latin Mass text. This work, along with the other pieces on the album, showcases Britten's ability to convey profound spiritual and emotional depth through his music.
The album concludes with "Sacred and Profane - Eight Medieval Lyrics, Op. 91," a collection of settings of medieval texts that blend the sacred and the secular in a way that is both timeless and deeply moving.
With a total runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes, this album offers a comprehensive overview of Britten's choral works, showcasing his unique voice and his enduring contribution to the choral repertoire. Whether you are a longtime fan of Britten's music or a newcomer to his work, this album is sure to captivate and inspire.
(P) 1996 Original sound recordings made and owned by Conifer Records Limited
Tracks
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: I. ProcessionBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Frances Kelly, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Clare Wilkinson
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: II. Wolcum Yole!Benjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Frances Kelly, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Clare Wilkinson
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: III. There Is No RoseBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Frances Kelly, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Clare Wilkinson
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: IVa. That YongΓ« ChildBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Frances Kelly, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Clare Wilkinson
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: IVb. BalulalowBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Frances Kelly, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Clare Wilkinson
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: V. As Dew in AprilleBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Frances Kelly, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Clare Wilkinson
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: VI. This Little BabeBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Frances Kelly, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Clare Wilkinson
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: VII. Interlude (Harp solo)Benjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Frances Kelly, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Clare Wilkinson
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: VIII. In freezing winter nightBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Frances Kelly, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Clare Wilkinson
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: IX. Spring CarolBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Frances Kelly, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Clare Wilkinson
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: X. Deo graciasBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Frances Kelly, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Clare Wilkinson
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: XI. RecessionBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Frances Kelly, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Clare Wilkinson
A Hymn to the VirginBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Andrea Cockerton, Eliza Lumley, Duncan Byrne, James Elias
Rejoice in the Lamb, Festival Cantata, Op. 30: Rejoice in GodBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Christopher Allsop, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Frances Bourne, Julian Podger, Mark Holmes
Rejoice in the Lamb, Festival Cantata, Op. 30: Let Nimrod the mighty hunterBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Christopher Allsop, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Frances Bourne, Julian Podger, Mark Holmes
Rejoice in the Lamb, Festival Cantata, Op. 30: HallelujahBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Christopher Allsop, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Frances Bourne, Julian Podger, Mark Holmes
Rejoice in the Lamb, Festival Cantata, Op. 30: For I will consider my cat JeoffryBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Christopher Allsop, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Frances Bourne, Julian Podger, Mark Holmes
Rejoice in the Lamb, Festival Cantata, Op. 30: For the Mouse is a creature of great personal valourBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Christopher Allsop, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Frances Bourne, Julian Podger, Mark Holmes
Rejoice in the Lamb, Festival Cantata, Op. 30: For the flowers are great blessingsBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Christopher Allsop, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Frances Bourne, Julian Podger, Mark Holmes
Rejoice in the Lamb, Festival Cantata, Op. 30: For I am under the same accusation with my SaviourBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Christopher Allsop, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Frances Bourne, Julian Podger, Mark Holmes
Rejoice in the Lamb, Festival Cantata, Op. 30: For H is a spiritBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Christopher Allsop, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Frances Bourne, Julian Podger, Mark Holmes
Rejoice in the Lamb, Festival Cantata, Op. 30: For the instruments are by their rhimesBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Christopher Allsop, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Frances Bourne, Julian Podger, Mark Holmes
Rejoice in the Lamb, Festival Cantata, Op. 30: For at that time malignity ceasesBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Christopher Allsop, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Frances Bourne, Julian Podger, Mark Holmes
Rejoice in the Lamb, Festival Cantata, Op. 30: Hallelujah - RepriseBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Christopher Allsop, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Frances Bourne, Julian Podger, Mark Holmes
Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27: In a garden shady this holy ladyBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Elizabeth Atherton, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Katherine May
Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27: Blessed Cecilia, appear in visionsBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Elizabeth Atherton, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Katherine May
Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27: I Cannot GrowBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Elizabeth Atherton, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Katherine May
Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27: Blessed Cecilia, appear in visionsBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Elizabeth Atherton, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Katherine May
Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27: O ear whose creaturesBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Elizabeth Atherton, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Katherine May
Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27: O dear white childrenBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Elizabeth Atherton, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Katherine May
Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27: Blessed Cecilia, appear in visionsBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge, Richard Marlow, Elizabeth Atherton, Marie-Claire Brookshaw, Katherine May
Missa Brevis, Op. 63: KyrieBenjamin Britten, Christopher Allsop, Elizabeth Atherton, Andrea Cockerton, Eliza Lumley
Missa Brevis, Op. 63: GloriaBenjamin Britten, Christopher Allsop, Elizabeth Atherton, Andrea Cockerton, Eliza Lumley
Missa Brevis, Op. 63: SanctusBenjamin Britten, Christopher Allsop, Elizabeth Atherton, Andrea Cockerton, Eliza Lumley
Missa Brevis, Op. 63: BenedictusBenjamin Britten, Christopher Allsop, Elizabeth Atherton, Andrea Cockerton, Eliza Lumley
Missa Brevis, Op. 63: Agnus DeiBenjamin Britten, Christopher Allsop, Elizabeth Atherton, Andrea Cockerton, Eliza Lumley
Sacred and Profane - Eight Medieval Lyrics, Op. 91: St. Godric's HymnBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge
Sacred and Profane - Eight Medieval Lyrics, Op. 91: I mon waxe wodBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge
Sacred and Profane - Eight Medieval Lyrics, Op. 91: Lenten is comeBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge
Sacred and Profane - Eight Medieval Lyrics, Op. 91: The long nightBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge
Sacred and Profane - Eight Medieval Lyrics, Op. 91: Yif ic of luve canBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge
Sacred and Profane - Eight Medieval Lyrics, Op. 91: CarolBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge
Sacred and Profane - Eight Medieval Lyrics, Op. 91: Ye that pasen byBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge
Sacred and Profane - Eight Medieval Lyrics, Op. 91: A deathBenjamin Britten, The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge
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