BaL 3.06.17 - Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem

[Bryn]

Not a statement one expects to read in a thread about Benjamin Britten's Sinfonia da requiem. (As Harrison Birtwistle was saying to me the other day.)

Good job you did not use the diminutive "Harry". I might have mistaken the reference as being to Mr. Gilonis.

[Barbirollians]

I am intrigued by the Barbirolli . I know from Michael Kennedy's biography that he was an early champion of Britten but it seems Britten was not at all grateful for this . The NYPO recording is only the 2nd performance of the piece that they had premiered the night before . There is an excellent Barbirolli account on BBC Legends though probably now deleted like most of that excellent label coupled with his storming live account of In the South

The superb performance of the Serenade for Tenor Horn and Strings on ICA Classics with Gerard English suggests that it was a shame he did not conduct more .

[BBMmk2]

I'd love to arrange this for concert band.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'd love to arrange this for concert band.

Best to sort out copyright issues before you start.
Even then there can be issues. I've a friend who obtained permission to arrange VW's Tallis Fantasia for symphonic wind band. On completing the arrangement, he was told that Ursula VW had decided it must not be performed. (She had neither seen, nor heard the arrangement, so cannot have appreciated the fine quality of the wind version. Strange, considering the composer's own very flexible attitude to changing scoring in order to get his music performed.

It was performed, but never appeared on any programme.

[Richard Barrett]

I might have mistaken the reference as being to Mr. Gilonis.

Mr G is one of my closest friends. Mr B on the other hand I met for the first time ten days ago. He did introduce himself as "Harry", I should perhaps add.

[BBMmk2]

Best to sort out copyright issues before you start.
Even then there can be issues. I've a friend who obtained permission to arrange VW's Tallis Fantasia for symphonic wind band. On completing the arrangement, he was told that Ursula VW had decided it must not be performed. (She had neither seen, nor heard the arrangement, so cannot have appreciated the fine quality of the wind version. Strange, considering the composer's own very flexible attitude to changing scoring in order to get his music performed.

It was performed, but never appeared on any programme.

No problem there, EA, I have had permission from B & H, when I did a version for brass band.

[Beef Oven!]

Am listening to it now. It's the opening item in the EMI Benjamin Britten "Collector's Edition" (I am somewhat surprised that there was but the one collector). It starts well and has some interesting light and shade brought out, though ensemble is not always quite as tight as it might be, and some sections are a little too rushed for my taste. Not a library choice, but a worthy enough supplement to those others I mentioned earlier.

Thanks Bryn. I've ripped it ti my library now, so I'll give it a listen myself soon.

[makropulos]

The first time I heard the Sinfonia da Requiem was at the RFH with Barbirolli and the New Philharmonia in December 1969, a programme that also included Delius's Brigg Fair and Mahler 1. It was the only time I saw Barbirolli live and for my teenage self it was an absolutely knock-out concert. The next day I bought the Ace of Clubs LP of Britten's Danish Radio SO performance which I still like a lot. Later on I got the New Philharmonia remake and I think that's probably the version I like best of all (it's certainly the one I listen to most often). I also have the BB/SWR recording but haven't heard it for a while. As for other versions, Rattle provides extremely impressive competition - I really like his performance. I'm looking forward to this BAL.

[Barbirollians]

The first time I heard the Sinfonia da Requiem was at the RFH with Barbirolli and the New Philharmonia in December 1969, a programme that also included Delius's Brigg Fair and Mahler 1. It was the only time I saw Barbirolli live and for my teenage self it was an absolutely knock-out concert. The next day I bought the Ace of Clubs LP of Britten's Danish Radio SO performance which I still like a lot. Later on I got the New Philharmonia remake and I think that's probably the version I like best of all (it's certainly the one I listen to most often). I also have the BB/SWR recording but haven't heard it for a while. As for other versions, Rattle provides extremely impressive competition - I really like his performance. I'm looking forward to this BAL.

Have you heard Barbirolli's proms account from 1967 makropoulos that was on BBC Legends ?

[Nimrod]

Indeed, Barbirollians, what a pity it's not still available, a searing performance.

[makropulos]

Have you heard Barbirolli's proms account from 1967 makropoulos that was on BBC Legends ?

I have just heard it (today) - thanks to somebody posting it on youtube. I don't have the CD but think I ought to try to get hold of a copy: it's very impressive!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

" ... but you don't want to hear that.

Oh! You do?! Alright, then ... "

[Alison]

Hickox seems to be in the lead coming around Tattenham Corner.

CRACKSMAN for the Derby!

[pastoralguy]

Wow! I'd forgotten what
a great piece this is!

[Pulcinella]

An excellent example of how good a single-hander BaL can be: lots of musical extracts and comparisons, with good pointers to what to listen for.
Enjoying it very much indeed.
Yes, a great piece.