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Naxos

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

$19.99

Details

Composer
BRITTEN
Artist
Philip, Steuart, Langridge, Bbc Singers, Bedford
Format
CD
Label
Naxos
Released
Nov 01, 2003
Catalog #
8557203
UPC
747313220328

About

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]

Tracklist 15 tracks

  1. 1 Introduction 05:11
    Track
    1
    Title
    Introduction
    Duration
    05:11
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Performer
    Philip Langridge
    Ensemble
    Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Steuart Bedford
  2. 2 The Birth of Nicolas 02:21
    Track
    2
    Title
    The Birth of Nicolas
    Duration
    02:21
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Performer
    Philip Langridge
    Ensemble
    Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Steuart Bedford
  3. 3 Nicolas devotes himself to God 03:58
    Track
    3
    Title
    Nicolas devotes himself to God
    Duration
    03:58
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Performer
    Philip Langridge
    Ensemble
    Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Steuart Bedford
  4. 4 He journeys to Palestine 07:33
    Track
    4
    Title
    He journeys to Palestine
    Duration
    07:33
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Performer
    Philip Langridge
    Ensemble
    Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Steuart Bedford
  5. 5 He comes to Myra and is chosen Bishop 06:25
    Track
    5
    Title
    He comes to Myra and is chosen Bishop
    Duration
    06:25
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Performer
    Philip Langridge
    Ensemble
    Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Steuart Bedford
  6. 6 Nicolas from Prison 02:36
    Track
    6
    Title
    Nicolas from Prison
    Duration
    02:36
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Performer
    Philip Langridge
    Ensemble
    Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Steuart Bedford
  7. 7 Nicolas and the Pickled Boys 06:15
    Track
    7
    Title
    Nicolas and the Pickled Boys
    Duration
    06:15
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Performer
    Philip Langridge
    Ensemble
    Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Steuart Bedford
  8. 8 His Piety and Marvellous Works 05:05
    Track
    8
    Title
    His Piety and Marvellous Works
    Duration
    05:05
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Performer
    Philip Langridge
    Ensemble
    Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Steuart Bedford
  9. 9 The Death of Nicolas 05:55
    Track
    9
    Title
    The Death of Nicolas
    Duration
    05:55
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Performer
    Philip Langridge
    Ensemble
    Thomas Tallis Chamber Choir, English Chamber Orchestra
    Conductor
    Steuart Bedford
  10. 10 Christ's Nativity 02:41
    Track
    10
    Title
    Christ's Nativity
    Duration
    02:41
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Ensemble
    BBC Singers
    Conductor
    Steuart Bedford
  11. 11 Sweet was the Song 03:14
    Track
    11
    Title
    Sweet was the Song
    Duration
    03:14
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Ensemble
    BBC Singers
    Conductor
    Steuart Bedford
  12. 12 Preparations 03:31
    Track
    12
    Title
    Preparations
    Duration
    03:31
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Ensemble
    BBC Singers
    Conductor
    Steuart Bedford
  13. 13 New Prince, New Pomp 04:34
    Track
    13
    Title
    New Prince, New Pomp
    Duration
    04:34
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Ensemble
    BBC Singers
    Conductor
    Steuart Bedford
  14. 14 Carol of King Cnut 02:19
    Track
    14
    Title
    Carol of King Cnut
    Duration
    02:19
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Ensemble
    BBC Singers
    Conductor
    Steuart Bedford
  15. 15 Psalm 150, Op. 67 04:21
    Track
    15
    Title
    Psalm 150, Op. 67
    Duration
    04:21
    Composer
    Benjamin Britten
    Ensemble
    New London Children's Choir, London Schools Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Steuart Bedford