English Choral Music - Britten: St. Nicolas, Etc / Bedford

$19.99
Label
Naxos
Release Date
November 1, 2003
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      BRITTEN
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      London Schools Symphony, English Chamber Orchestra
    • PERFORMER
      Philip, Steuart, Langridge, Bbc Singers, Bedford
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      November 01, 2003
    • UPC
      747313220328
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      8557203
    • LABEL
      Naxos
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Christmas / Chanukkah
    Works ⌄

    1. Introduction

      Composer: Benjamin Britten

      Ensemble: Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra

      Performer: Philip Langridge

      Conductor: Steuart Bedford

    2. The Birth of Nicolas

      Composer: Benjamin Britten

      Ensemble: Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra

      Performer: Philip Langridge

      Conductor: Steuart Bedford

    3. Nicolas devotes himself to God

      Composer: Benjamin Britten

      Ensemble: Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra

      Performer: Philip Langridge

      Conductor: Steuart Bedford

    4. He journeys to Palestine

      Composer: Benjamin Britten

      Ensemble: Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra

      Performer: Philip Langridge

      Conductor: Steuart Bedford

    5. He comes to Myra and is chosen Bishop

      Composer: Benjamin Britten

      Ensemble: Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra

      Performer: Philip Langridge

      Conductor: Steuart Bedford

    6. Nicolas from Prison

      Composer: Benjamin Britten

      Ensemble: Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra

      Performer: Philip Langridge

      Conductor: Steuart Bedford

    7. Nicolas and the Pickled Boys

      Composer: Benjamin Britten

      Ensemble: Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra

      Performer: Philip Langridge

      Conductor: Steuart Bedford

    8. His Piety and Marvellous Works

      Composer: Benjamin Britten

      Ensemble: Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra

      Performer: Philip Langridge

      Conductor: Steuart Bedford

    9. The Death of Nicolas

      Composer: Benjamin Britten

      Ensemble: Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra

      Performer: Philip Langridge

      Conductor: Steuart Bedford

    10. Christ's Nativity

      Composer: Benjamin Britten

      Ensemble: BBC Singers

      Conductor: Steuart Bedford

    11. Sweet was the Song

      Composer: Benjamin Britten

      Ensemble: BBC Singers

      Conductor: Steuart Bedford

    12. Preparations

      Composer: Benjamin Britten

      Ensemble: BBC Singers

      Conductor: Steuart Bedford

    13. New Prince, New Pomp

      Composer: Benjamin Britten

      Ensemble: BBC Singers

      Conductor: Steuart Bedford

    14. Carol of King Cnut

      Composer: Benjamin Britten

      Ensemble: BBC Singers

      Conductor: Steuart Bedford

    15. Psalm 150, Op. 67

      Composer: Benjamin Britten

      Ensemble: New London Children's Choir, London Schools Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Steuart Bedford


Britten's cantata St. Nicolas is another of the great modern pieces on a Christmas theme. Dramatic, even dark in places – as in the best music from Bach on down, a glimpse of the shade helps us better appreciate the light – Britten's tale of St. Nick is utterly enthralling, especially in this beautifully recorded performance. Conductor Steuart Bedford assisted Britten at the end of the composer's life and became one of his most sensitive interpreters, leading the premiere of the opera Death in Venice and directing the Aldeburgh Festival for decades. The late English tenor Philip Langridge, the soloist in St. Nicolas, does his stirring best here, as do the BBC Singers in Christ's Nativity. Like many of Britten's later scores, his festive setting of Psalm 150 was designed for a mix of professional and amateur players; the children's chorus here shines brightly.

– Bradley Bambarger, Listen [Winter 2011]