Our Summer BaL 38: Britten War Requiem

[BBMmk2]

As far as I know this magnificent work by Benjamin Britten, has not been discussed in these pages and is going to be peformed on Thursday 22nd August. So, I do still think that the composer's version, is still an absolute classic of a recording, followed closely by Richard Hickox and Andris Nelsons. With sir Simon Rattle's I do have a few contentions, but what do othe3r boarder's think|?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm really puzzled by this. I thought we'd already had a BaL on the War Requiem, but I've trawled through the list and - nothing. But perhaps it pre-dated this forum.

Edit. Yes, back in 2009.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nnz2f.html

[Parry1912]

I've got Britten's own recording along with Hickox, Rattle and Gardiner. I think it's difficult to recommend a recording above the composer's own (excellent as Hickox is).

Has anybody heard the Blu-Ray version of this?

[Bryn]

No lover of this work should be without the Ancerl.

[HighlandDougie]

Has anybody heard the Blu-Ray version of this?

Yes - the sound is extraordinarily good in its Blu-Ray incarnation. As well as the Britten, I have McCreesh and Jansons - and very much like what I've heard of the Ancerl. I also have preserved last year's Bychkov performance. All very good to excellent in their own ways, although it is difficult not to keep comparing them to the Composer. Mark Padmore on the Jansons recording makes a good alternative to Peter Pears for those phobic about the sound of Pears's voice, although it is difficult to get past the fact that the part was written with his voice in BB's mind.

[Sir Velo]

No lover of this work should be without the Ancerl.

Indeed. Or, FTM, the Giulini on BBC Legends, the odd dodgy intonation and enunciation issues of the Dutch baritone notwithstanding.

[BBMmk2]

Indeed. Or, FTM, the Giulini on BBC Legends, the odd dodgy intonation and enunciation issues of the Dutch tenor notwithstanding.

I didn't know about this one!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I didn't know about this one!

Not expensive at all:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Britten-War-Requiem-Benjamin/dp/B00004YYR3/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1408368291&sr=1-1&keywords=giulini%2C+britten%2C+war+requiem

... a Live recording (Mono, I believe) with Britten conducting the chamber ensemble.

[Sir Velo]

... a Live recording (Mono, I believe) with Britten conducting the chamber ensemble.

Stereo, Ferns. However, the sound quality is elderly at best, with noticeable levels of tape hiss. There is the usual 1960s live TB sanatorium imported for the occasion, with miscellaneous on-stage rustles. The recording is also rather distant so you will need to turn sound levels up. The effect will either be one of re-creating the atmosphere of a live performance or lacking in presence, depending on your POV.

[Mary Chambers]

I'd just like to point out that the War Requiem Prom is on the 21st, not the 22nd - this Thursday. I'll be listening.

There's no real rival to Britten's own recording as far as I'm concerned, but (as I've quite often said) I don't collect recordings, only live performances.

[pastoralguy]

I heard this work last week conducted by Sir Andrew Davis as part of the Edinburgh Festival. It was being recorded by Radio3 so will no doubt be broadcast once the Proms have finished.

If I'm really honest, it's not a work I'm hugely keen on but I did appreciate this performance. All concerned appeared to be putting their heart and soul into it. Actually, it's 35 years since I last heard it live (as a 16 year old schoolboy!) so my appreciation has hopefully improved a bit. I was struck by how comparatively the orchestra has to do compared with the chamber ensemble who, in this performance, were stunning.