Experience the enchanting world of Benjamin Britten with "Britten Abroad," a captivating collection of vocal works that showcases the composer's mastery of choral and neoclassical styles. Released on April 28, 2008, this album features a stunning lineup of performers, including soprano Susan Gritton, tenor Mark Padmore, and pianist Iain Burnside, who bring Britten's compositions to life with exquisite precision and passion.
The album spans a diverse range of works, from the intimate and reflective "Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22" to the evocative and poetic "The Poet's Echo, Op. 76." Britten's genius for setting text to music is on full display, whether he is interpreting the sonnets of Michelangelo, the fragments of Hölderlin, or the timeless beauty of French folksongs. Each piece is a testament to Britten's unique voice and his ability to blend classical traditions with a modern sensibility.
"Britten Abroad" is a testament to the enduring appeal of Benjamin Britten's music, offering a rich and varied listening experience that highlights his compositions' depth and beauty. With a total duration of just over an hour, this album is a perfect introduction to Britten's choral and vocal works, as well as a delight for longtime fans of his music. The album's high-quality production and the performers' exceptional artistry make it a standout addition to any classical music collection.
(C) 2008 Signum Records
Tracks
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22: Sonetto XVI - Si come nella penna e nell'inchiostroBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22: Sonetto XXXI - A che piu debb'io mai l'intensa vogliaBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22: Sonetto XXX - Veggio co'bei vostri occhi un dolce lumeBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22: Sonetto LV - Tu sa'ch'io so, signior mie, che tu saiBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22: Sonetto XXXVIII - Redete a gli occhi miei, o fonte o fiumeBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22: Sonetto XXXII - S'un casto amor, s'una pieta supernaBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22: Sonetto XXIV - Spirto ben nato, in cui si specchia evedeBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
The Poet's Echo, Op. 76: EchoBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
The Poet's Echo, Op. 76: My Heart...Benjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
The Poet's Echo, Op. 76: AngelBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
The Poet's Echo, Op. 76: The Nightingale and the RoseBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
The Poet's Echo, Op. 76: EpigramBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
The Poet's Echo, Op. 76: Lines written during a sleepless nightBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Four French Folksong Arrangements: La Nöel PasséeBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Four French Folksong Arrangements: Voici le PrintempsBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Four French Folksong Arrangements: FileuseBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Four French Folksong Arrangements: Le roi s'en va-t'en chasseBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Um MitternachtBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Sechs Hölderlin-Fragmente, Op. 61: MenschenbeifallBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Sechs Hölderlin-Fragmente, Op. 61: Die HeimatBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Sechs Hölderlin-Fragmente, Op. 61: Sokrates und AlcibiadesBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Sechs Hölderlin-Fragmente, Op. 61: Die JugendBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Sechs Hölderlin-Fragmente, Op. 61: Hälfte des LebensBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Sechs Hölderlin-Fragmente, Op. 61: Die Linien des LebensBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Four French Folksong Arrangements: La belle est au jardin d'amourBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Four French Folksong Arrangements: Il est quelqu'un sur terreBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Four French Folksong Arrangements: Eho! Eho!Benjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Four French Folksong Arrangements: Quand j'étais chez mon pèreBenjamin Britten, Susan Gritton, Mark Padmore, Iain Burnside
Benjamin Britten, a titan of 20th-century British music, is celebrated for his profound contributions to opera, choral, and orchestral compositions. Born in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in 1913, Britten began his musical journey at the tender age of six, with his first compositions published during his student years. His operatic works, such as the hauntingly powerful "Peter Grimes" and the poignant "Billy Budd," have earned him a place among the most prominent figures in modern opera, often drawing comparisons to Ralph Vaughan Williams. Britten's repertoire spans a wide range of genres, from enchanting operas to heartfelt choral masterpieces and orchestral gems like "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra." His emotive and accessible compositions continue to captivate audiences worldwide, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest British composers of his generation. Beyond his composing prowess, Britten was also a skilled conductor and pianist, and he served as the President of the Society of Recorder Players from 1958 until his passing in 1976.
Vinylscout
Benjamin Britten
