Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Benjamin Britten's masterful compositions with this exquisite collection of three iconic song cycles. Released on February 16, 1998, under the Naxos label, this album showcases Britten's unparalleled ability to blend classical elegance with poetic depth.
The album opens with the Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings, Op. 31, a hauntingly beautiful work that explores themes of nature, love, and loss through a series of evocative movements. The Serenade is followed by Les Illuminations, Op. 18, a vibrant and imaginative setting of poems by Arthur Rimbaud. This cycle is a journey through a series of vivid and sometimes surreal landscapes, each brought to life by Britten's distinctive musical language.
The album concludes with Nocturne, Op. 60, a collection of seven songs based on texts by various poets. This work is a testament to Britten's ability to capture the essence of poetry in music, with each song offering a unique emotional and atmospheric landscape.
Performed with sensitivity and virtuosity by some of the most renowned artists of the classical world, this album is a must-listen for anyone interested in the rich tapestry of 20th-century classical music. Whether you are a longtime fan of Britten's work or a newcomer to his compositions, this album offers a compelling introduction to the genius of one of the most important composers of the past century. With a total runtime of 1 hour and 9 minutes, this album is a perfect addition to any classical music collection.
1998 Naxos1998 Naxos
Tracks
Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings, Op. 31: I. PrologueBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings, Op. 31: II. PastoralBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings, Op. 31: III. NocturneBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings, Op. 31: IV. ElegyBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings, Op. 31: V. DirgeBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings, Op. 31: VI. HymnBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings, Op. 31: VII. SonnetBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings, Op. 31: VIII. EpilogueBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Les illuminations, Op. 18: I. FanfareBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Les illuminations, Op. 18: II. VillesBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Les illuminations, Op. 18: III. PhraseBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Les illuminations, Op. 18: IV. AntiqueBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Les illuminations, Op. 18: V. RoyauteBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Les illuminations, Op. 18: VI. MarineBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Les illuminations, Op. 18: VII. InterludeBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Les illuminations, Op. 18: VIII. Being BeauteousBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Les illuminations, Op. 18: IX. ParadeBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Les illuminations, Op. 18: X. DepartBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Nocturne, Op. 60: I. On a Poet's Lips I SleptBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Nocturne, Op. 60: II. Below the Thunders of the Upper DeepBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Nocturne, Op. 60: III. Encinctured with a Twine of LeavesBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Nocturne, Op. 60: IV. Midnight's Bell Goes Ting, Ting, Ting...Benjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Nocturne, Op. 60: V. But That Night When on My Bed I LayBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Nocturne, Op. 60: VI. She Sleeps On Soft, Last BreathsBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Nocturne, Op. 60: VII. What Is More Gentle?Benjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
Nocturne, Op. 60: VIII. When Most I WinkBenjamin Britten, Adrian Thompson, Michael Thompson, Bournemouth Sinfonietta, David Lloyd-Jones
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