Benjamin Britten

[Mirror Image]

Both Bostridge recordings are good. I've always enjoyed Anthony Rolfe Johnson (Chandos) and Phillip Langridge (Naxos) in Serenade.

I'll have to check out both of these, Greg. I might have that Naxos recording. Will have to double check. That Chandos one looks very tempting.

[Mirror Image]

Fortunately there are many good recordings of the wonderful Serenade. Of recent issues I like this:

[asin]B006H99HIE[/asin]

coupled with the wonderful Finzi.

I find it interesting to compare Brittens setting of the Dirge to Stravinsky's.

Nice, Erato. This one looks good, too.

[DaveF]

This one:

[asin]B000069DPK[/asin]

- as much for David Pyatt's playing as Ainsley's singing.  Great disc throughout - and the subject of a curious one-star review on Amazon.co.uk - I'm guessing the customer thought "One" meant "Best".

DF

[aquablob]

http://musicologynow.ams-net.org/2013/11/for-benjamin-britten-upon-centenary-of.html

[Mirror Image]

For those interested:

http://www.youtube.com/v/HHxMzDMSLwg

Needless to say, after watching this documentary, I want to hear Death In Venice as soon as I can and re-listen to Phaedra for that matter.

[TheGSMoeller]

For those interested:

http://www.youtube.com/v/HHxMzDMSLwg

Needless to say, after watching this documentary, I want to hear Death In Venice as soon as I can and re-listen to Phaedra for that matter.

Death in Venice is Britten's best opera (IMO). Followed by Midsummer Night's Dream (also IMO). 

[Mirror Image]

Death in Venice is Britten's best opera (IMO). Followed by Midsummer Night's Dream (also IMO). 

What little I've heard from Death in Venice sounded absolutely stunning. Will have to listen to Midsummer Night's Dream as well. Where does Peter Grimes, The Turn of the Screw, and The Rape of Lucretia figure in on your list of favorites, Greg?

[TheGSMoeller]

What little I've heard from Death in Venice sounded absolutely stunning. Will have to listen to Midsummer Night's Dream as well. Where does Peter Grimes, The Turn of the Screw, and The Rape of Lucretia figure in on your list of favorites, Greg?

Just recently been getting into Lucretia, which is amazing. The new recording with Knussen conducting is a must have for Britten fans...

[asin]B00A3NVB4S[/asin]

...sorry at work, will write more later.

[Mirror Image]

Just recently been getting into Lucretia, which is amazing. The new recording with Knussen conducting is a must have for Britten fans...

[asin]B00A3NVB4S[/asin]

...sorry at work, will write more later.

That recording received some good press and Knussen would be just the man to conduct Britten.

[Mirror Image]

Some Britten recordings I'm considering for next year:

[North Star]

And I need recordings of the operas missing from the EMI 37 CD box - Death in Venice, Rape of Lucretia and Billy Budd.
So I'll either get this Decca complete operas box or individual recordings - any opinions?
[asin]B00FE1UMY4[/asin]

[mahler10th]

For those interested:

http://www.youtube.com/v/HHxMzDMSLwg

Needless to say, after watching this documentary, I want to hear Death In Venice as soon as I can and re-listen to Phaedra for that matter.

Great John.  That saved me looking for it!  I think I'll watch it again.  Thanks for the post.

[Mirror Image]

Great John.  That saved me looking for it!  I think I'll watch it again.  Thanks for the post.

You're welcome, John.

[North Star]

Great John.  That saved me looking for it!  I think I'll watch it again.  Thanks for the post.

Yes, this is definitely worth watching, some good excerpts from Death in Venice, a work I've yet to hear.

[Mirror Image]

Yes, this is definitely worth watching, some good excerpts from Death in Venice, a work I've yet to hear.

+1

[North Star]

The 1966 television recording of Billy Budd
Peter Pears
Peter Glossop
Michael Langdon
John Shirley-Quirk
Bryan Drake
David Kelly
Kenneth MacDonald et al.

Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Charles Mackerras & LSO

http://www.youtube.com/v/A1lVBfqQyjs

[Mirror Image]

As pointed out by a commentator on this Britten documentary, the last movement of Death in Venice is absolutely divine. I was going to listen to Peter Grimes first, but have decided that Death in Venice cannot wait, I will be listening to it tonight.

Here's a question for all of you Brittenites, what would you say are the main characteristics of Britten's sound-world? I know he was quite a chameleon stylistically, but what were the dominant kinds of techniques he used in his music?

[kyjo]

Britten is a strange situation for me. I consider his VC, Sinfonia da requiem and Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes to be among the greatest works of the 20th century and find them very moving and compelling. But, aside from the Frank Bridge Variations, Young Person's Guide, Simple Symphony, and Young Apollo little else by Britten moves me. I find much of his music, especially the later works, to be rather "cold". I can't get into his operas at all. I've read opinions from various sources that "Britten was the greatest English composer since Purcell", with which I strongly disagree. I hold the music of Vaughan Williams, Elgar, Walton, Rubbra, Arnold, Bantock, Bate, Arnell, Parry, and Alwyn all in higher regard than the majority of Britten.

[Mirror Image]

BTW, I agree with the opinion that Britten was the greatest British composer since Purcell. I love RVW and Elgar, but Britten is just in a different class all by himself.

[kyjo]

BTW, I agree with the opinion that Britten was the greatest British composer since Purcell. I love RVW and Elgar, but Britten is just in a different class all by himself.

You love Britten more than RVW?! I'm cryin', John.