Britten, Benjamin
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.
On Monday we learn about Britten's childhood nicknames, compositions, and the deep bond between him and his teacher, Frank Bridge.
Britten: Simple Symphony, IV
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
DG 423624
2:51
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Bridge: Moonlight fr. The Sea
Royal Liverpool Phil/Groves
EMI 66855
5:18
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Britten: Sinfonietta, I & III
Hallé Orchestra/Nagano
Erato 25502
8:15
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Britten: A Boy Was Born (excerpts)
Finzi Singers, Lichfield Cathedral Choir/Spicer
Chan 9701
8:58
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Britten: Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge (excerpts)
English Chamber Orchestra/Britten
Lon 417509
7:00
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Britten: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 13, I
English Chamber Orch/Britten; Richter, p.
Lon 417308
12:04
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On Tuesday, Britten meets the magnetic W.H Auden and he embarks on an adventure to America.
Britten: Violin Concerto, Op. 15, I
LSO/Rostropovich; Vengerov, v.
EMI 57510
10:04
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Britten: Les Illuminations, Op. 18 (excerpts)
English Chamber Orch/Britten; Pears, ten.
Lon 417153
7:27
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Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem, Op. 20, I
London Phil/Slatkin
RCA 61226
7:57
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Britten: Paul Bunyan (excerpts)
Royal Opera House Covent Garden/Hickox
Chan 9781
4:28
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Britten: Quartet for Strings No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25, I
Endellion String Quartet
EMI 47695
8:39
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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
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On Wednesday, the sky darkens and the tide rises with Britten's Peter Grimes and we meet another, equally important Peter, Peter Pears.
Britten: Hymn fr. Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Op. 31
LSO/Britten; Tuckwell, hn.
Lon 417153
2:01
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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
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Britten: Four Sea Interludes fr. Peter Grimes- Moonlight & Sunday Morning
London Phil/Slatkin
RCA 61226
8:21
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Britten: Quartet for Strings No. 2 in C Major, Op. 36, I
Endellion String Quartet
EMI 47696
7:51
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Britten: Rossini Suite, II & IV
Scottish Chamber Orch/Bedford; Bedford, p.
EMI 49480
4:10
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On Thursday, we explore Britten's War Requiem and one of his greatest causes: pacifism.
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
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Britten: Pan from Metamorphoses after Ovid for oboe solo, Op. 49
Carter, ob.
EMI 55398
2:20
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Britten: Suite from Gloriana, Op. 53a, I & II
Bournemouth Symphony/Segal
EMI 69422
8:21
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Britten: The Prince of the Pagodas (excerpts)
London Sinfonietta/Knussen
Virgin 91103
6:50
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Britten: Nocturne for Tenor, 7 Obbligato Instruments & Strings (excerpts)
English Chamber Orch/Britten; Pears, ten.
EMI 417153
5:35
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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
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Britten: Suite for Solo Cello, Op. 72, II
Rostropovich, vc.
EMI 72016
2:20
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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.
Britten: War Requiem, Op. 66 (excerpts)
LSO/Britten; Preston, org.; Vishnev-skaya, s.; Fischer-Dieskau, bar.; Pears, ten.
Lon 414383
9:42, 21:32
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Britten: Folksongs, Vol. 3, No. 6: “Waly, Waly”
Britten Sinfonia/Harding; Bostridge, ten.
EMI 56871
1:23
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Britten: Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34
Royal Phil/Previn
Telarc 80126
17:08
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