Immerse yourself in the sacred and uplifting choral works of Benjamin Britten with this captivating album, released on May 2, 2000, by Naxos. Spanning a diverse range of genres including classical, requiem, opera, neoclassical, and choral, this collection offers a rich tapestry of Britten's compositional genius.
The album opens with Britten's celebrated "Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30," a joyful and exuberant cantata based on a poem by Christopher Smart. Each movement, from "Rejoice in God, O ye Tongues" to "Hallelujah from the heart of God," showcases Britten's mastery of choral writing and his ability to convey profound spiritual themes with vivid musical imagery.
Following this, the album presents a selection of Britten's other significant choral works, including the "Te Deum in C," the "Jubilate Deo," and the "Festival Te Deum, Op. 32." These pieces, characterized by their grandeur and solemnity, highlight Britten's skill in crafting music that resonates with both reverence and exultation.
The album also features Britten's "Missa Brevis, Op. 63," a concise yet powerful setting of the Latin Mass text. Each movement, from the "Kyrie" to the "Agnus Dei," is imbued with a sense of urgency and intensity, demonstrating Britten's ability to distill complex emotions into compact musical forms.
Complementing these larger works are several shorter pieces, including hymns to St. Peter, St. Columba, and St. Cecilia. These compositions, while more intimate in scope, are no less profound in their expression of faith and devotion.
Finally, the album concludes with Britten's "Prelude and Fugue on a Theme of Vittoria," a testament to his admiration for the Renaissance composer Tomás Luis de Victoria. This piece, with its intricate counterpoint and rich harmonic language, serves as a fitting finale to an album that celebrates the enduring legacy of Benjamin Britten.
With a duration of 1 hour and 13 minutes, this album offers a comprehensive exploration of Britten's choral works, providing a rewarding listening experience for both seasoned fans and newcomers alike.
2000 Naxos2000 Naxos
Tracks
Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30: Rejoice in God, O ye TonguesBenjamin Britten, Benedict Giles, Malcolm Green, Simon Wall, Thomas Williams, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30: For I will consider my Cat JeoffreyBenjamin Britten, Benedict Giles, Malcolm Green, Simon Wall, Thomas Williams, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30: For the Mouse is a creature of great personal valourBenjamin Britten, Benedict Giles, Malcolm Green, Simon Wall, Thomas Williams, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30: For the flowers are great blessingsBenjamin Britten, Benedict Giles, Malcolm Green, Simon Wall, Thomas Williams, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30: For I am under the same accusation with my SaviourBenjamin Britten, Benedict Giles, Malcolm Green, Simon Wall, Thomas Williams, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30: For H is a spirit and therefore he is GodBenjamin Britten, Benedict Giles, Malcolm Green, Simon Wall, Thomas Williams, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30: For the instruments are by their rhimesBenjamin Britten, Benedict Giles, Malcolm Green, Simon Wall, Thomas Williams, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30: Hallelujah from the heart of GodBenjamin Britten, Benedict Giles, Malcolm Green, Simon Wall, Thomas Williams, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Te Deum in CBenjamin Britten, William Goldring, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Jubilate DeoBenjamin Britten, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Iain Farrington, Christopher Robinson
Antiphon, Op. 56bBenjamin Britten, Benedict Giles, Joseph Helps, Oliver Lepage-Dean, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
A Hymn to the VirginBenjamin Britten, Christopher de la Hoyde, William Goldring, Reuben Thomas, Simon Wall, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Festival Te Deum, Op. 32Benjamin Britten, Benedict Giles, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Missa brevis, Op. 63: KyrieBenjamin Britten, Benedict Giles, William Goldring, Edward Minton, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Missa brevis, Op. 63: GloriaBenjamin Britten, Benedict Giles, William Goldring, Edward Minton, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Missa brevis, Op. 63: SanctusBenjamin Britten, Benedict Giles, William Goldring, Edward Minton, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Missa brevis, Op. 63: BenedictusBenjamin Britten, Benedict Giles, William Goldring, Edward Minton, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Missa brevis, Op. 63: Agnus DeiBenjamin Britten, Benedict Giles, William Goldring, Edward Minton, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Hymn to St. Peter, Op. 56aBenjamin Britten, William Goldring, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
A Hymn of St. ColumbaBenjamin Britten, Iain Farrington, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
Prelude and Fugue on a Theme of VittoriaBenjamin Britten, Iain Farrington
Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27Benjamin Britten, Jonathan Bungard, Benedict Giles, Ben Harrison, Richard Moore, Reuben Thomas, Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge, Christopher Robinson
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