Britten

[Russ_H]

I am hesitant to resurrect this thread, but, for those who are interested, there are reviews
of the Powell and Kildea books in today's Sunday Times. Here is a link to the electronic version.
You will not have access to the full script unless you are a subscriber.

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/culture/books/non_fiction/article1199575.ece

[Mary Chambers]

That's frustrating! I'd love to read it, but I absolutely refuse to pay the subscription. They (Times, Sunday Times) are the only newspapers that ask for it, and they don't even give us the option of buying a one-off article, as some publications do.

There was a lovely concert from Oxford on Radio3 this afternoon, with unusual pieces like Ballad of Heroes and the piece composed for the opening of the Maltings, The Building of the House (with its line 'This house shall stand through storm and stress' - doesn't mention fire). Also the first performance of two psalm settings from Britten's teens - phone rang in the middle of those, so I shall have to catch up on iPlayer.

[Barbirollians]

There is no issue about resurrecting this thread. It is about the music of Britten.

Talking of which - another vote for Diversions which I had overlooked . I have it in Leon Fleisher's splendid recording with Ozawa.

[amateur51]

There is no issue about resurrecting this thread. It is about the music of Britten.

Talking of which - another vote for Diversions which I had overlooked . I have it in Leon Fleisher's splendid recording with Ozawa.

I think it's a natural for a Prom, Barbirollians

An interesting piece from the Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalmusic/9800907/Britten-the-composer-who-had-the-last-laugh.html

[Roehre]

I'm not that keen on Britten (especially not many of his vocal works), except for...
Op. 1, Sinfonietta, 1932
Op. 2, Phantasy, oboe quartet, 1932
Op. 3, A Boy was Born for mixed chorus with organ ad lib, 1933, revised 1955
Op. 4, Simple Symphony for strings, 1934 (+ also version for string quartet)
Op. 5, Holiday Diary for piano, 1934
Op. 6, Suite for violin and piano, 1935
Op. 8, Our Hunting Fathers for soprano or tenor and orchestra (words W. H. Auden), 1936
Op. 9, Soirées musicales for orchestra (after Rossini), 1936
Op. 10, Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge for string orchestra, 1937
Op. 12, Mont Juic (after Catalan dances, with Lennox Berkeley), 1937
Op. 13, Piano Concerto, both the 1938 and the 1945 versions
Op. 14, Ballad of Heroes for tenor or soprano, chorus and orchestra (words W. H. Auden and Randall Swingler), 1939
Op. 15, Violin Concerto, bothe the 1939 [Olof performing!] and the 1958 versions
Op. 16, Young Apollo for piano and strings, 1939 (withdrawn)
Op. 18, Les Illuminations, for soprano or tenor and strings (words Arthur Rimbaud), 1939
Op. 19, Canadian Carnival overture, 1939
Op. 20, Sinfonia da Requiem, 1940
Op. 21, Diversions for piano (left hand) and orchestra, 1940, revised 1954
Op. 23 No. 1, Introduction and Rondo alla burlesca for two pianos, 1940
Op.23 No. 2, Mazurka elegaica for two pianos, 1941
Op. 24, Matinées musicales for orchestra (after Rossini), 1941
Op. 25, String Quartet No. 1, 1941
Op. 26, Scottish Ballad for two pianos and orchestra, 1941
Op. 27, An American Overture, 1941 [first performance 1983]
Op. 27, Hymn to St. Cecilia for SSATB, 1942
Op. 28, A Ceremony of Carols for trebles and harp, 1942
Op. 29, Prelude and Fugue for 18 strings, 1943
Op. 30, Rejoice in the Lamb for soloists, chorus and organ, 1943
Op. 31, Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, song cycle, 1943
Op. 32, Festival Te Deum for chorus and organ, 1945
Op. 33, Peter Grimes, opera (libretto Montagu Slater after George Crabbe), 1945 Op. 33a, Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes
Op. 33b, Passacaglia from Peter Grimes
Op. 34, Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Henry Purcell (The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra), 1946
Op. 36, String Quartet No. 2, 1945
Op. 37, The Rape of Lucretia, opera (libretto Ronald Duncan after André Obey), 1946 revised 1947
Op. 38, Occasional Overture, 1946
Op. 41, A Charm of Lullabies for mezzo soprano and piano, 1947
Op. 42, Saint Nicolas for soloists, chorus, strings, piano (4 hands), percussion and organ, 1948
Op. 48, Lachrymae for viola and piano, 1950
Op. 48a, Lachrymae for viola and strings, 1976
Op. 49, Six Metamorphoses after Ovid for oboe, 1951
Op. 50, Billy Budd, opera (libretto E. M. Forster and Eric Crozier after Herman Melville), 1951, revised 1960
Op. 51, Abraham and Isaac (Canticle II) for alto, tenor and piano (Chester miracle play), 1952
Op. 53, Gloriana, opera (libretto William Plomer after Lytton Strachey), 1953
Op. 53a, Symphonic Suite "Gloriana" for tenor or oboe and orchestra, 1954
Op. 54, The Turn of the Screw, opera (libretto Myfanwy Piper after Henry James), 1954
Op. 55, Still Falls the Rain (Canticle III) for tenor, horn and piano (words Edith Sitwell), 1954
Op. 56a, Hymn to St. Peter for treble, SATB and organ, 1955
Op. 56b, Antiphon for SATB and organ, 1955
Op. 57, The Prince of the Pagodas, ballet, 1956
Op. 57a, Pas de six from The Prince of the Pagodas
Op. 59, Noye's Fludde, opera (Chester mystery play), 1957
Op. 60, Nocturne for tenor, 7 obbligato instruments and string orchestra, song cycle, 1958
Op. 62, Cantata academica, 1959
Op. 63, Missa brevis for boys' voices and organ, 1959
Op. 64, A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera (libretto Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears after William Shakespeare), 1960
Op. 65, Sonata for cello and piano, 1961
Op. 66, War Requiem, 1961
Op. 67, Psalm CL for children's chorus and instruments, 1962
Op. 68, Cello Symphony, 1963
Op. 69, Cantata misericordium, 1963
Op. 70, Nocturnal after John Dowland for guitar, 1963
Op. 71, Curlew River, church parable (libretto William Plomer after Noh), 1964
Op. 72, Cello Suite No. 1, 1964
Op. 73, Gemini Variations for flute, violin and piano four hands, 1965
Op. 77, The Burning Fiery Furnace, church parable (libretto William Plomer after The Book of Daniel), 1966
Op. 79, The Building of the House overture, for chorus or organ or brass and orchestra, 1967
Op. 80, Cello Suite No. 2, 1967
Op. 83, Suite for Harp, 1969
Op. 86, The Journey of the Magi (Canticle IV) for countertenor, tenor, baritone and piano (words T. S. Eliot), 1971
Op. 87, Cello Suite No. 3, 1972
Op. 88, Death in Venice, opera (libretto Myfanwy Piper based on Thomas Mann), 1973
Op. 89, The Death of Narcissus (Canticle V) for tenor and harp (words T. S. Eliot), 1974
Op. 90, A Suite on English Folk Tunes "A Time There Was" for chamber orchestra, 1974
Op. 91, Sacred and Profane (8 medieval lyrics) for five voices (SSATB), 1975
Op. 93, Phaedra, cantata (words Robert Lowell after Jean Racine), 1975
Op. 94, String Quartet No. 3, 1975
Op. 95, Welcome Ode for young people's voices and orchestra, 1976
Op. 96, Praise we great men for soloists, chorus and orchestra (words Edith Sitwell), 1976 (Unfinished)[/QUOTE]

plus from his juvenilia/works without opus numbers (more or less in chronological order):

Folksong arrangements
Little Sir William
Narcissus -voor hobo-solo
Come you not from Newcastle?
The Bonny Earl o'Moray
A Shephard's carol
A Wealdon Trio
The Plough Boy
The Sycamore tree
O Waly, Waly
A Hymn to the Virgin
Variation on an Elizabethan theme
5 Waltzes
The Ascent of F6
4 Chansons Francaises
Rhapsody for stringquartet
A Hymn to the Virgin
3 Caracter Pieces
A Hymn to the Virgin
Elegy for viola-solo
Plymouth Town
Quartettino
2 Portraits for string orchestra
12 Variations on a Theme
String quartet in D
Phantasy for string quartet
Double Concerto
Bridge-variaties for piano
Alla marcia for string quartet
Te Deum
2 Insect Pieces
The Way to the Sea
The Night Mail
2 Lullabies for 2 pianos
Temporal Variations for oboe and piano
3 Divertimenti for string quartet
Russian Funeral
King Arthur: suite for orchestra
5 Cabaret Songs
A.M.D.G.
The World of the Spirit
Sonatina romantica
The Bonny Earl O'May
5 French folksong arrangements
Oliver Cromwell
Voluntary on Tallis's Lamentations
Now sleeps the Crimson well
Clarinet concerto Movement
Prelude and Fugue on a Theme of Vittoria
"Fanfare ""The Eagle has two heads"""
A Charm of Lullabies
Men of Goodwill
O Waly, Waly
Suite of songs from Purcell's Orpheus Britannicus
Variations on a Christmas Carol
Variations on an Elizabethan theme: variation 5
Scherzo for 4 recorders
The Heart of the Matter
In Memoriam Dennis Briain
Fanfare for St.Edmondsbury
Jubilate Deo
A Hymn of St.Columba

{with many thanks to ER for the works with opus numbers I like)

[amateur51]

I'm not that keen on Britten (especially not many of his vocal works), except for...
Op. 1, Sinfonietta, 1932
{...}

{with many thanks to ER for the works with opus numbers I like)

welcome back Roehre - a good break, I trust?

[Roehre]

welcome back Roehre - a good break, I trust?

thanks a51. After the break it is of course a bit hectic with some piles on my desk etcetera.
But it's certainly nice to be back on these boards as well.

[Barbirollians]

Finally this afternoon I got round to listening to the LSO/Previn recording of Sinfonia da Requiem. A piece that is sometimes too overwhelming .

A piercingly clear sighted account of the piece and less obviously deliberately gloomy than some and makes even more of an impact . Coupled with a wonderful set of the Four Sea Interludes that just make me want to get to Aldeburgh as quickly as possible !

On a more serious note what impact did the Britten centenary have , if any , on your appreciation of his music - overload or now six months have passed did you develop a deeper appreciation from so much of his music being heard.

I shall always treasure my memories of that Friday evening on Aldeburgh beach and the sensational production of Peter Grimes.

[hmvman]

I discovered several 'new' pieces and it made me invest in the Decca Complete Works CD set. I'm gradually working my way through and making more marvellous discoveries. I very much enjoyed the film of Grimes on the Beach and wish I'd been able to go to see it live. I also enjoyed the ENO production of Gloriana which I saw at a cinema transmission.

I wouldn't like to say whether the centenary events have had any impact on making Britten's music better appreciated by a wider audience.

[Ferretfancy]

I've enjoyed Britten's music ever since singing the Five Flower Songs at school and being bowled over by hearing some guests perform Rejoice in the Lamb in the chapel. Both works were quite new at the time.

I've just finished reading the Kildea book. The controversial side is of course Kildea's theory about Britten having syphilis, but it's only fair to say that there are only a few pages on this subject. By and large it is a pretty good assessment of a very sensitive, sometimes petty, but still likeable genius.
There are still works which I find hard to appreciate, the Church Parables for example, where I feel he is deliberately setting himself problems to solve with restricted forces. Much of this music still strikes me as arid, and I don't warm to it. Then i find myself listening to a lovely early work like The Hymn to the Virgin or the wonderful Nocturne, and the pleasure returns.

As a postcript, after last year's Proms performance of Billy Budd, I listened again to The Ballad of Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard, first performed in a prison of war camp. This is an amazing piece for male voices and piano, an opera in effect in a dozen minutes. If anybody has not heard it, make good your loss!

[Mary Chambers]

I'm trying to work my way through Kildea's book for the second time, because the first time I was so eager to read it (and criticise) I think I read it too fast. I can't so far get rid of a feeling that there is something rather unpleasant about this book, and his prose style is very irritating, particularly his use of adjectives. Perhaps I'm affected by his very defensive attitude when various members of the medical profession, including doctors who were there at the time, said his syphilis theory was nonsense.

Oh - on Private Passions, the novelist Pat Barker has just chosen the Wilfred Owen setting from Britten's Nocturne, a piece that isn't performed nearly often enough.

[Black Swan]

I have just downloaded the Kindle Edition. I am on holiday for 10 days and was looking for some reading. So I will give it a try.

[teamsaint]

I am looking , (yes, its shortcut time again) for recommendations for good, preferably cheap (used will do) versions of the Sinfonia da requiem, as well as some of the better known (and maybe the less well known) choral works, Hymn to St Cecilia, Hymn to the Virgin, that sort of thing.

Thanks.

[LeMartinPecheur]

I am looking , (yes, its shortcut time again) for recommendations for good, preferably cheap (used will do) versions of the Sinfonia da requiem, as well as some of the better known (and maybe the less well known) choral works, Hymn to St Cecilia, Hymn to the Virgin, that sort of thing.

Thanks.

In theis repertoire, plenty of bargains to be snapped ts, especially if you go s/h. The classic Britten recording of the SdR can be had for £3.57 on Marketplace. It's probably still the must-have but on Naxos there's also a highly rated Steuart Bedford for £3.12 or even an apparently decent Myer Fredman for 9p!!! (+ P&P of course).

For the choral there's a very good Naxos from St Johns Cambridge/ Robinson for £1.99 s/h or the older KCC/ Willcocks & Ledger on CFP for £2.48 new. Or a newer KCC EMI disc for £4.65 new if you're feeling 'extravagant'!

All this wonderful stuff for less than a tenner Ought there to be a law against it??

Enjoy...

[Nick Armstrong]

I am looking , (yes, its shortcut time again) for recommendations for good, preferably cheap (used will do) versions of the Sinfonia da requiem, as well as some of the better known (and maybe the less well known) choral works, Hymn to St Cecilia, Hymn to the Virgin, that sort of thing.

Not partial to the SdR, don't know about that.

Re choral: I wouldn't look further than this classic http://www.amazon.co.uk/Britten-Camb...britten+ledger