Part of the WFMT Radio Network

Britten, Benjamin Purchase Now 

Benjamin Britten’s works can be edgy, or they can be warm and accessible. On Monday we learn about Britten's childhood, and the deep bond between him and his teacher, Frank Bridge. As the week continues, Bill introduces us to the influential people in his life, including Britten’s lifelong partner, tenor Peter Pears. We will hear Pears sing with virtuoso horn player Dennis Brain in the Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings. On Friday, two slain soldiers from opposite sides meet in the underworld to sing "Libera Me" from the War Requiem. Then we sample some folksongs, and end on a bright note: Britten's how-to guide for young classical music listeners, The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.

 
Program 1

On Monday  we learn about Britten's childhood nicknames, compositions, and the deep bond between him and his teacher, Frank Bridge. 

 

 
playlist

Britten: Simple Symphony, IV
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
DG 423624
2:51
Purchase

Bridge: Moonlight fr. The Sea
Royal Liverpool Phil/Groves
EMI 66855
5:18
Purchase

Britten: Sinfonietta, I & III
Hallé Orchestra/Nagano
Erato 25502
8:15
Purchase

Britten: A Boy Was Born (excerpts)
Finzi Singers, Lichfield Cathedral Choir/Spicer
Chan 9701
8:58
Purchase

Britten: Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge (excerpts)
English Chamber Orchestra/Britten
Lon 417509
7:00
Purchase

Britten: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 13, I
English Chamber Orch/Britten; Richter, p.
Lon 417308
12:04
Purchase

Program 2

On Tuesday, Britten meets the magnetic W.H Auden and he embarks on an adventure to America.

playlist

Britten: Violin Concerto, Op. 15, I
LSO/Rostropovich; Vengerov, v.
EMI 57510
10:04
Purchase

Britten: Les Illuminations, Op. 18 (excerpts)
English Chamber Orch/Britten; Pears, ten.
Lon 417153
7:27
Purchase

Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem, Op. 20, I
London Phil/Slatkin
RCA 61226
7:57
Purchase

Britten: Paul Bunyan (excerpts)
Royal Opera House Covent Garden/Hickox
Chan 9781
4:28
Purchase

Britten: Quartet for Strings No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25, I
Endellion String Quartet
EMI 47695
8:39
Purchase

Britten: Pastoral & Nocturne fr. Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Op. 31
Boyd Neel String Orchestra/Britten; Pears, ten.; Brain, hn.
Lon 425996
7:06
Purchase

Program 3

On Wednesday, the sky darkens and the tide rises with Britten's Peter Grimes and we meet another, equally important Peter, Peter Pears.

playlist

Britten: Hymn fr. Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Op. 31
LSO/Britten; Tuckwell, hn.
Lon 417153
2:01
Purchase

Britten: Peter Grimes, Op. 33 (excerpts)
Royal Opera House Covent Garden/Haitink; Johnson, ten.; Allen, bar.; Lott, s.
EMI 54832
7:16, 5:17, 1:31, 5:27, :36, 1:16, 2:34
Purchase

Britten: Four Sea Interludes fr. Peter Grimes- Moonlight & Sunday Morning
London Phil/Slatkin
RCA 61226
8:21
Purchase

Britten: Quartet for Strings No. 2 in C Major, Op. 36, I
Endellion String Quartet
EMI 47696
7:51
Purchase

Britten: Rossini Suite, II & IV
Scottish Chamber Orch/Bedford; Bedford, p.
EMI 49480
4:10
Purchase

Program 4

On Thursday, we explore Britten's War Requiem and one of his greatest causes: pacifism. 

playlist

Britten: Spring Symphony, Op. 44, finale
Orchestra & Chorus of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden/Britten; Pears, ten.; Proctor, contralto; Vyvyan, s.
Lon 425153
7:26
Purchase

Britten: Pan from Metamorphoses after Ovid for oboe solo, Op. 49
Carter, ob.
EMI 55398
2:20
Purchase

Britten: Suite from Gloriana, Op. 53a, I & II
Bournemouth Symphony/Segal
EMI 69422
8:21
Purchase

Britten: The Prince of the Pagodas (excerpts)
London Sinfonietta/Knussen
Virgin 91103
6:50
Purchase

Britten: Nocturne for Tenor, 7 Obbligato Instruments & Strings (excerpts)
English Chamber Orch/Britten; Pears, ten.
EMI 417153
5:35
Purchase

Britten: Requiem Aeternam fr. War Requiem, Op. 66
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra & Chorus/Rattle; Tear, ten.; Allen, bar.; Söderström, s.
EMI 47034
9:51
Purchase

Britten: Suite for Solo Cello, Op. 72, II
Rostropovich, vc.
EMI 72016
2:20
Purchase

Program 5

Our Friday, two slain soldiers meet in the War Requiem's "Libera Me". Then we sample some folk songs and end on a bright note: Britten's how-to-guide for young classical music listeners.  

playlist

Britten: War Requiem, Op. 66 (excerpts)
LSO/Britten; Preston, org.; Vishnev-skaya, s.; Fischer-Dieskau, bar.; Pears, ten.
Lon 414383
9:42, 21:32
Purchase

Britten: Folksongs, Vol. 3, No. 6: “Waly, Waly”
Britten Sinfonia/Harding; Bostridge, ten.
EMI 56871
1:23
Purchase

Britten: Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34
Royal Phil/Previn
Telarc 80126
17:08
Purchase

 
You May Also Like
Artists in Exile, Part IArtists in Exile, Part II Cello Concertos Elgar, EdwardGreen and Pleasant Land Music in the Time of WarNew Wine in Old Bottles Walton, WilliamWunderkinder, Part I

 

The Exploring Music streaming website is supported by Mr. & Mrs. William Gardner Brown and the Richard P. and Susan Kiphart Family.  
“
You have opened up the world of Classical Music to me, where previously, it seemed too complicated.
”
Steffen Demeter
“
This is simply one of the very best radio programmes in the medium!...The study of the people, the times, and the events that inform the music we otherwise enjoy and even, heaven forbid, take for granted, brings the entire world of the music and the composer to life.
”
Walther Davies
“
There isn't a program you broadcast on Exploring Music" that isn't of interest. I find them all engaging. It is a combination of variety of subject, intellectual curiosity and your obvious enthusiasm which characterize your satisfying programs.
”
Michael Sanders
“
It’s a great way to re-engage myself with consciousness before heading off to work.
”
Kourtney
“
I Love this program! I am in 7th grade and I am the complete opposite of the other kids. I am 4th chair in the orchestra and I love to read. But most of all, I LOVE classical music!
”
Claudia Wertz
“
Your show has helped open my mind and heart to this world of music, and every show I hear confirms my place in music and gives me new ideas for where I'd like to go with it in the future….I grew up with classical music as a child and always held it in my heart, but I didn't have the confidence to be a good student (or a good violinist.)
”
Christine Anderson
“
Listening to you is almost interactive.You invite us in with so many well modulated dramatic and informative comments, enticing, enthusiastic interpretations, and coherent, beautiful presentations. It's a privilege to follow you into the musical space you create.
”
Sally Rosenbaum
“
I just love this program. It is soothing and comfortable at the end of the day. I find his comments interesting, but they aren't so dragged out that there is very little music. The balance of both is just right.
”
Jean Quay
Newsletters Thank You!
©2018 Exploring Music. All Rights Reserved.    |    site by IDM