Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Benjamin Britten's extraordinary musical prowess with this compelling album, released on Deutsche Grammophon in 2002. This collection showcases Britten's versatility and genius, spanning a variety of genres including classical, requiem, opera, neoclassical, and choral compositions.
The album opens with Britten's exuberant "Spring Symphony, Op. 44," a vibrant celebration of the season, followed by the serene and contemplative "Hymn to St. Cecilia (1942), Op. 27." This piece holds special significance as Britten was born on the feast day of St. Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians.
Next, the "Five Flower Songs, Op. 47" offer a delicate and evocative exploration of nature's beauty, each song dedicated to a different flower. The album then culminates in Britten's monumental "War Requiem, Op. 66," a powerful and poignant reflection on the horrors of war, commissioned for the consecration of Coventry Cathedral in 1962. This masterpiece intertwines the traditional Latin Mass for the Dead with the poignant poetry of Wilfred Owen, a soldier-poet killed in World War I.
With a duration of over two hours, this album is a testament to Britten's enduring legacy and his ability to evoke a wide range of emotions through his music. Whether you're a longtime fan of classical music or a newcomer looking to explore the genre, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience.
Spring Symphony, Op. 44: 1. Introduction: Shine outBenjamin Britten, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir
Spring Symphony, Op. 44: 2. The merry cuckooBenjamin Britten, John Mark Ainsley, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner
Spring Symphony, Op. 44: 3. Spring, the sweet SpringBenjamin Britten, Alison Hagley, Catherine Robbin, John Mark Ainsley, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir
Spring Symphony, Op. 44: 4. The driving boyBenjamin Britten, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, Salisbury Cathedral Choristers, Richard Seal
Spring Symphony, Op. 44: 5. The morning starBenjamin Britten, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir
Spring Symphony, Op. 44: 6. Welcome Maids of HonourBenjamin Britten, Catherine Robbin, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner
Spring Symphony, Op. 44: 7. Waters above!Benjamin Britten, John Mark Ainsley, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner
Spring Symphony, Op. 44: 8. Out on the lawn I lie in bedBenjamin Britten, Catherine Robbin, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir
Spring Symphony, Op. 44: 9. When will my May comeBenjamin Britten, John Mark Ainsley, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner
Spring Symphony, Op. 44: 10. Fair and fairBenjamin Britten, Alison Hagley, John Mark Ainsley, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner
Spring Symphony, Op. 44: 11. Sound the flute!Benjamin Britten, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, Salisbury Cathedral Choristers, Richard Seal
Spring Symphony, Op. 44: 12. Finale: London, to thee I do presentBenjamin Britten, John Mark Ainsley, Catherine Robbin, Alison Hagley, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, Salisbury Cathedral Choristers, Richard Seal
Hymn to St. Cecilia (1942), Op. 27: In a garden shadyBenjamin Britten, Emma Preston-Dunlop, Gill Ross, Penelope Vickers, Peter Mitchell, Richard Savage, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir
Hymn to St. Cecilia (1942), Op. 27: I cannot growBenjamin Britten, Emma Preston-Dunlop, Gill Ross, Penelope Vickers, Peter Mitchell, Richard Savage, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir
Hymn to St. Cecilia (1942), Op. 27: O ear whose creaturesBenjamin Britten, Emma Preston-Dunlop, Gill Ross, Penelope Vickers, Peter Mitchell, Richard Savage, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir
Five Flower Songs op.47: 1. To DaffodilsBenjamin Britten, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir
Five Flower Songs op.47: 2. The Succession of the Four Sweet MonthsBenjamin Britten, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir
Five Flower Songs op.47: 3. Marsh FlowersBenjamin Britten, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir
Five Flower Songs op.47: 4. The Evening PrimroseBenjamin Britten, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir
Five Flower Songs op.47: 5. Ballad of Green BroomBenjamin Britten, Philharmonia Orchestra, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Requiem aeternam: Requiem aeternamBenjamin Britten, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, NDR Chor, Howard Arman, Tölzer Knabenchor, Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Requiem aeternam: What passing bells for these who die as cattle?Benjamin Britten, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, NDR Chor, Howard Arman
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Dies Irae: Dies irae (I)Benjamin Britten, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, NDR Chor, Howard Arman
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Dies Irae: Bugles sang, saddening the evening airBenjamin Britten, Bo Skovhus, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Dies Irae: Liber scriptus profereturBenjamin Britten, Luba Orgonasova, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, NDR Chor, Howard Arman
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Dies Irae: Out there, we've walked quite friendly up to DeathBenjamin Britten, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Bo Skovhus, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Dies Irae: Recordare Jesu pieBenjamin Britten, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, NDR Chor, Howard Arman
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Dies Irae: Be slowly lifted upBenjamin Britten, Bo Skovhus, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Dies Irae: Dies irae (II)Benjamin Britten, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, NDR Chor, Howard Arman
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Dies Irae: Lacrimosa dies illaBenjamin Britten, Luba Orgonasova, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, NDR Chor, Howard Arman
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Dies Irae: Move him into the sunBenjamin Britten, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Luba Orgonasova, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, NDR Chor, Howard Arman
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Offertorium: Domine Jesu ChristeBenjamin Britten, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner, Tölzer Knabenchor, Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden, The Monteverdi Choir, NDR Chor, Howard Arman
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Offertorium: So Abraham rose, and clave the woodBenjamin Britten, Bo Skovhus, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner, Tölzer Knabenchor, Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden, The Monteverdi Choir, NDR Chor, Howard Arman
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Sanctus: Sanctus, sanctus, sanctusBenjamin Britten, Luba Orgonasova, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, NDR Chor, Howard Arman
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Sanctus: After the blast of lightning from the EastBenjamin Britten, Bo Skovhus, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Agnus Dei: One ever hangs where shelled roads partBenjamin Britten, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, NDR Chor, Howard Arman
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Libera me: Libera me, DomineBenjamin Britten, Luba Orgonasova, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, NDR Chor, Howard Arman
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Libera me: It seemed that out of battle I escapedBenjamin Britten, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Bo Skovhus, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Libera me: Let us sleep now...In paradisumBenjamin Britten, Bo Skovhus, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Luba Orgonasova, NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, John Eliot Gardiner, Tölzer Knabenchor, Gerhard Schmidt-Gaden, The Monteverdi Choir, NDR Chor, Howard Arman
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