BaL 21.12.24 - Britten: A ceremony of carols

[Pulcinella]

Yes, but the vital thing here is that the first published version was for childrens' voices. Britten later published an SATB arrangement for adult, mixed choir. So that's what adults should stick to, if some fidelity to the composer's original intentions is to be observed. (I personally found the "winning" version lacking in the edgy simplicity that comes from following the composer's casting wishes. Too smooth and sleek, for my tastes).

That's a fine distinction!

[Choral Enthusiast]

We are spoilt for choice with this piece.

My joint favourites are:

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford directed by Francis Grier ( recorded in 1982)

New College Choir, Oxford, directed by Edward Higginbottom ( CRD label, recorded 1991)

Westminster Cathedral Choir, directed by David Hill ( Hyperion label)

St.John's College Choir, Cambridge, directed by George Guest.

I can't separate these 4 recordings. Each performance is stirring.

[Darloboy]

Yes, but the vital thing here is that the first published version was for childrens' voices. Britten later published an SATB arrangement for adult, mixed choir. So that's what adults should stick to, if some fidelity to the composer's original intentions is to be observed. (I personally found the "winning" version lacking in the edgy simplicity that comes from following the composer's casting wishes. Too smooth and sleek, for my tastes).

Jeremy Summerly’s usual criteria for choosing his recommendation is just to pick the most recent recording…

[Cockney Sparrow]

Jeremy Summerly’s usual criteria for choosing his recommendation is just to pick the most recent recording…

I thought I had heard him (probably not in this BAL) describe a "blind listening" approach to listening to recordings when working on the various versions to be considered and presented.

[Pulcinella]

I thought I had heard him (probably not in this BAL) describe a "blind listening" approach to listening to recordings when working on the various versions to be considered and presented.

I think that that was the case in this instance too.

[Darloboy]

I thought I had heard him (probably not in this BAL) describe a "blind listening" approach to listening to recordings when working on the various versions to be considered and presented.

From memory of previous programmes, my understanding was that he just did this for his initial listen, not for his final choice.