Our Summer BAL 15: Britten's Les Illuminations

[DublinJimbo]

Felicity Lott's is the version I know and love.

I'm intrigued by the many references to Jill Gomez's recording. A quick internet check brings it up as part of a 2-CD EMI set coupled with other Britten. Does anyone know if it's also available otherwise?

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Felicity Lott's is the version I know and love.

I'm intrigued by the many references to Jill Gomez's recording. A quick internet check brings it up as part of a 2-CD EMI set coupled with other Britten. Does anyone know if it's also available otherwise?

It was available on an HMV Classics disc (HMV 5 73185 2) which included the Serenade for tenor, horn and strings (Neil Mackie) and the Four Sea Interludes. It also includes the song 'Now sleeps the crimson petal', which is probably why I purchased it.

[DublinJimbo]

It was available on an HMV Classics disc (HMV 5 73185 2) which included the Serenade for tenor, horn and strings (Neil Mackie) and the Four Sea Interludes. It also includes the song 'Now sleeps the crimson petal', which is probably why I purchased it.

Thanks. I'll see if I can track that down.

On the 2-CD set, Les Illuminations is coupled on CD 1 with the Serenade (Mackie) and the Nocturne (Tear, Tuckwell). The 2nd disc contains the Simple Symphony, Sinfonia da Requiem, Four Sea Interludes and Young Person's Guide. I'd really only be interested in the first disc.

I've listened to the Gomez Les Illuminations at the Naxos Music Library. Vocally, it's superb, though let down by rather poor diction. Despite that reservation, I can fully understand the enthusiastic mentions here, and would dearly like to have it in my collection.

[BBMmk2]

For me, I would always go for the tenor voice, as opposed to soprano, because, more often. Than not I am not a great lover of this high voice of the soprano! I have Peter Pears and another version which escapes me but on the EMI label. It's part of their Britten collection boxed set.

[visualnickmos]

...many references to Jill Gomez's recording. A quick internet check brings it up as part of a 2-CD EMI set coupled with other Britten. Does anyone know if it's also available otherwise?

If it's of any help, I have this in front of me now;

1 Phaedra (Felicity Palmer)

2-6 Five French fsolksong arrangement (Felicity Palmer)

7-16 Les Illuminations (Jill Gomez)

all with the Endymion Ensemble/John Whitfield

EMI British Composers (single CD) N° 7243 5 65114 2 2

I've had this lovely CD for many years, but a copy may still be "out there" somewhere. Hope this info is useful.

[DublinJimbo]

If it's of any help, I have this in front of me now;

1 Phaedra (Felicity Palmer)
2-6 Five French fsolksong arrangement (Felicity Palmer)
7-16 Les Illuminations (Jill Gomez)

all with the Endymion Ensemble/John Whitfield

EMI British Composers (single CD) N° 7243 5 65114 2 2

I've had this lovely CD for many years, but a copy may still be "out there" somewhere. Hope this info is useful.

A lovely programme, a better selection than the HMV Classics disc (HMV 5 73185 2) mentioned by Il Grande Inquisitor. I'm off on the hunt for a used copy.

UPDATE: I found a copy on the Canadian eBay site and have bought it (US$ 21.41 including international shipping).

[visualnickmos]

That's good news, DJ. Yo won't be disappointed. I don't know how exactly pounds to dollars, but it must be about £17 ?

[Bryn]

If it's of any help, I have this in front of me now;

1 Phaedra (Felicity Palmer)

2-6 Five French fsolksong arrangement (Felicity Palmer)

7-16 Les Illuminations (Jill Gomez)

all with the Endymion Ensemble/John Whitfield

EMI British Composers (single CD) N° 7243 5 65114 2 2

I've had this lovely CD for many years, but a copy may still be "out there" somewhere. Hope this info is useful.

I ordered a "Used: Very Good" copy via amazon.co.uk last night. £4.07 including p&p
.

[Lordgeous]

Did Jennifer Vyvian ever record it? I'm sure I heard her perform it live. One of my very favourite voices.

[Lordgeous]

Just found this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joCOtStuh_Y

Stunning to my ears!