BaL 4.06.22 - Britten: Four Sea Interludes (from "Peter Grimes")

[Master Jacques]

Britten selected and arranged these four interludes himself, adding titles and composing a (very small) amount of new music to provide concert endings, while allotting the Four Sea Interludes their own Opus number (33a, with 33b for the Passacaglia). He clearly saw the possibility of creating an integrated concert work, rather than a mere series of operatic 'bleeding chunks', and many of us might agree that the work has a symphonic balance and shape of its own, unlike most ballet suites. Nor does it mirror the opera, as the interludes are placed in a different order.

The curiosity of this BAL (for me) lies in the brevity of the work, rather than its form: but doubtless others will be able to recall even shorter works being given an airing in the slot!

[LHC]

Britten selected and arranged these four interludes himself, adding titles and composing a (very small) amount of new music to provide concert endings, while allotting the Four Sea Interludes their own Opus number (33a, with 33b for the Passacaglia). He clearly saw the possibility of creating an integrated concert work, rather than a mere series of operatic 'bleeding chunks', and many of us might agree that the work has a symphonic balance and shape of its own, unlike most ballet suites. Nor does it mirror the opera, as the interludes are placed in a different order.

The curiosity of this BAL (for me) lies in the brevity of the work, rather than its form: but doubtless others will be able to recall even shorter works being given an airing in the slot!

Debussy's Syrinx has featured on BAL in the past. At around three minutes in duration, I think it's likely to remain as the shortest work to be featured for some time to come.

[Master Jacques]

Debussy's Syrinx has featured on BAL in the past. At around three minutes in duration, I think it's likely to remain as the shortest work to be featured for some time to come.

Thank you, LHC - I think you are on to a winner there!

[Bryn]

Debussy's Syrinx has featured on BAL in the past. At around three minutes in duration, I think it's likely to remain as the shortest work to be featured for some time to come.

If I may put on my BBM hat , who won?

[LHC]

If I may put on my BBM hat , who won?

First Choice:
Juliette Hurel (flute)
(Recorded 2001; c/w VARESE Densite 21, 5; DUTILLEUX Sonatine; JOLIVET Chant de Linos; MESSIAEN Merle Noir; DUSAPIN I Pesci; TANGUY Wadi; HERSANT Cinq Miniatures)
Helene Couvert (piano)
NAÏVE V 4925 (CD)

Historic Choice:
Marcel Moyse (flute)
(Recorded 1928; from CD entitled ‘Marcel Moyse – Flute Fantastique’; c/w GAUBERT Madrigal; BIZET (arr. Borne) Carmen Fantasy; SAINT- SAENS (arr. Taffanel) The Swan; SECHERS Souvenir de Gand; REICHERT Fantaisie et Variations; HUE Fantaisie – and other works)
Louis Moyse, Georges Truc (piano)
PEARL GEM 0206 (CD, mid-price)

Returning to the subject of this BAL, I do think the four sea interludes have a life of their own beyond the opera, so am looking forward to this one.

[Bryn]

First Choice:
Juliette Hurel (flute)
(Recorded 2001; c/w VARESE Densite 21, 5; DUTILLEUX Sonatine; JOLIVET Chant de Linos; MESSIAEN Merle Noir; DUSAPIN I Pesci; TANGUY Wadi; HERSANT Cinq Miniatures)
Helene Couvert (piano)
NAÏVE V 4925 (CD)

Historic Choice:
Marcel Moyse (flute)
(Recorded 1928; from CD entitled ‘Marcel Moyse – Flute Fantastique’; c/w GAUBERT Madrigal; BIZET (arr. Borne) Carmen Fantasy; SAINT- SAENS (arr. Taffanel) The Swan; SECHERS Souvenir de Gand; REICHERT Fantaisie et Variations; HUE Fantaisie – and other works)
Louis Moyse, Georges Truc (piano)
PEARL GEM 0206 (CD, mid-price)

Returning to the subject of this BAL, I do think the four sea interludes have a life of their own beyond the opera, so am looking forward to this one.

Thanks, I will head to QOBUZ for the Hurel. I have always had a soft spot for Severino Gazzelloni in this work as n the Varèse Density 21.5.

[ChrisBennell]

Interesting that the reviewer is Anna Lapwood - she will have probably thoroughly studied the score before recording her organ transcription of the Interludes at Ely Cathedral. For anyone who hasn’t heard it - it is beautifully played and well worth a listen!

Yes, I came across this transcription only yesterday on YouTube, as part of an hour long concert. She says this transcription was a "lock-down project" and very impressive at that. There is also some beautifully played Bach, and with superb camera work. Find it all at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjkgmB3Ih1U&t=1144s

[pastoralguy]

Bump

[jonfan]

Battle of the two BBC orchestras in the end. I have the Davis and the full dynamic range and bloom of the recording is stunning; a feature of the Teldec ‘British Line’ recordings of the time. The Bernstein again indicates for me that he puts himself above the composer in all he records, except his own music of course.

[Pulcinella]

A justifiable dismissal of the 'iconic' Previn, I thought, which made me question my own (previous!) admiration.

A worthy winner: I'd streamed it during the week and been impressed.
Interesting comment regarding conductors who may well have been involved in productions of the whole opera, too.

[LeMartinPecheur]

I wondered why, with her emphasis on the importance and subtlety of Britten's percussion writing, Anna Lapwood had bothered with her organ transcription at all!

OK, she mentioned sneaking in some tubular bells or somesuch for her recording, but,,,

[Barbirollians]

A justifiable dismissal of the 'iconic' Previn, I thought, which made me question my own (previous!) admiration.

A worthy winner: I'd streamed it during the week and been impressed.
Interesting comment regarding conductors who may well have been involved in productions of the whole opera, too.

I don’t agree - all too easy to take one excerpt out of context - thought the Davis sounded very bombastic glad it didn’t win in the end .

[Barbirollians]

I am rather fond of the Steuart Bedford version on Naxos I didn’t catch the start of this BAL - did it get a mention ?

[Bryn]

I am rather fond of the Steuart Bedford version on Naxos I didn’t catch the start of this BAL - did it get a mention ?

No, it did not make the starting blocks.

[Retune]

Surprised not to hear any of Britten's own ROH version, though mentioned in passing as a reference. Couldn't resist picking up a secondhand copy of Davis for £1.99; includes the Passacaglia, the Young Person's Guide, and the Frank Bridge Variations (which I don't know at all).