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Britten: Cello Symphony; Symphonic Suite From Gloriana; Four Sea Interludes From Peter Grimes
Chandos

Britten: Cello Symphony; Symphonic Suite From Gloriana; Four Sea Interludes From Peter Grimes

$21.99

Details

Composer
BRITTEN, BENJAMIN
Artist
Murray, Watkins, Gardner
Format
CD
Label
Chandos
Released
Mar 29, 2011
Catalog #
CHAN 10658
UPC
095115165829

About


These are outstanding performances, as good or better than the composer's own. Edward Gardner tears into the Four Sea Interludes with uninhibited excitement. It's great to hear the high violins and flutes in "Dawn" swooping and soaring like the gulls that they're supposed to be evoking. "Sunday Morning" has an infectious bounce, while "Moonlight" casts a rapt stillness abruptly shattered by perhaps the most vicious storm on disc. It's one of those versions you will listen to and say, "Finally, that's the way it should go!"

The suite from Gloriana is still a comparative rarity, which is a pity, as the music really is first-rate Britten. But then, so is the opera; why anyone cares that it flopped at its premiere is beyond me (the Queen allegedly was not amused, as if her opinion matters). The Lute Song is very nicely sung by Robert Murray, but the version for oboe rather than voice strikes me as more appropriate within the context of the symphonic suite as a whole. Granted, Britten used Peter Pears, but that was an opportunity for him to give his partner something to do while on tour.

Finally, there's the Cello Symphony: a tough, somewhat gnarly work that receives a performance every bit as fine as Britten/Rostropovich, which still remains the benchmark version. Paul Watkins and Gardner somehow make music out of the low, grotty opening, pacing the movement as unerringly as did Britten himself. The finale works its way up to a wonderfully life-affirming conclusion, and Watkins does a wonderful job with the lengthy preceding cadenza. In short, this release is a major entry in the Britten discography, and the sonics are every bit the equal of the interpretations.

--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 12 tracks

  1. 1 I. The Tournament 04:11
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. The Tournament
    Duration
    04:11
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Ensemble
    BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  2. 2 II. The Lute Song 04:24
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. The Lute Song
    Duration
    04:24
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Performer
    Robert Murray
    Ensemble
    BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  3. 3 III. Courtly Dances 09:26
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Courtly Dances
    Duration
    09:26
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Ensemble
    BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  4. 4 IV. Gloriana Moritura 07:17
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Gloriana Moritura
    Duration
    07:17
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Ensemble
    BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  5. 5 I. Allegro maestoso 12:31
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Allegro maestoso
    Duration
    12:31
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Performer
    Paul Watkins
    Ensemble
    BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  6. 6 II. Presto inquieto 03:49
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Presto inquieto
    Duration
    03:49
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Performer
    Paul Watkins
    Ensemble
    BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  7. 7 III. Adagio - 10:42
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. Adagio -
    Duration
    10:42
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Performer
    Paul Watkins
    Ensemble
    BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  8. 8 IV. Passacaglia: Andante allegro 07:26
    Track
    8
    Title
    IV. Passacaglia: Andante allegro
    Duration
    07:26
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Performer
    Paul Watkins
    Ensemble
    BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  9. 9 No. 1. Dawn 03:29
    Track
    9
    Title
    No. 1. Dawn
    Duration
    03:29
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Ensemble
    BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  10. 10 No. 2. Sunday Morning 03:36
    Track
    10
    Title
    No. 2. Sunday Morning
    Duration
    03:36
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Ensemble
    BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  11. 11 No. 3. Moonlight 04:24
    Track
    11
    Title
    No. 3. Moonlight
    Duration
    04:24
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Ensemble
    BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner
  12. 12 No. 4. Storm 04:35
    Track
    12
    Title
    No. 4. Storm
    Duration
    04:35
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Ensemble
    BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    Edward Gardner