Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Benjamin Britten's masterful compositions with this captivating live concert recordings collection. Released on December 14, 2015, by Danacord Records, "Danish First Performances" showcases some of Britten's most iconic works, performed by an ensemble of renowned artists and orchestras, including the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Copenhagen Philharmonic.
This album spans nearly two and a half hours, featuring a diverse range of genres, from classical and neoclassical to choral and opera. The tracklist includes Britten's powerful "Concerto for Cello and Orchestra," the intricate "Symphony for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 68," and the deeply expressive "Solo Cello Suite No. 2, Op. 80" and "Solo Cello Suite No. 3, Op. 87." Each piece is performed with precision and passion, highlighting Britten's unique voice in the classical music landscape.
The performances are led by celebrated conductors such as Meredith Davies, Herbert Blomstedt, and Okko Kamu, with the incomparable cellist Erling Blöndal Bengtsson bringing Britten's cello works to life. These live recordings, spanning from 1976 to 1991, offer a rare glimpse into the first Danish performances of these seminal works, capturing the energy and immediacy of live concert experiences.
Whether you're a longtime admirer of Benjamin Britten's music or a newcomer to his compositions, this album provides a comprehensive and engaging introduction to his genius. The meticulous attention to detail and the exceptional performances make this a standout collection in any classical music enthusiast's library.
(C) 2015 Danacord Records
Tracks
Concerto for Cello and OrchestraFrederick Delius, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Meredith Davies, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
Symphony for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 68: I. Allegro maestosoBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Okko Kamu, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Symphony for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 68: II. Presto inquietoBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Okko Kamu, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Symphony for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 68: III. Adagio – cadenzaBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Okko Kamu, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Symphony for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 68: IV. Passacaglia - Andante allegroBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Okko Kamu, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Concerto for Cello and OrchestraWitold Lutosławski, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Herbert Blomstedt, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
Solo Cello Suite No. 2, Op. 80: I. Declamato - LargoBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Meredith Davies, Herbert Blomstedt, Okko Kamu, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Solo Cello Suite No. 2, Op. 80: II. Fuga - AndanteBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Meredith Davies, Herbert Blomstedt, Okko Kamu, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Solo Cello Suite No. 2, Op. 80: III. Scherzo - Allegro moltoBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Meredith Davies, Herbert Blomstedt, Okko Kamu, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Solo Cello Suite No. 2, Op. 80: IV. Andante lentoBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Meredith Davies, Herbert Blomstedt, Okko Kamu, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Solo Cello Suite No. 2, Op. 80: V. Ciaconna - AllegroBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Meredith Davies, Herbert Blomstedt, Okko Kamu, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Solo Cello Suite No. 3, Op. 87: I. Introduzione - LentoBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Meredith Davies, Herbert Blomstedt, Okko Kamu, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Solo Cello Suite No. 3, Op. 87: II. Marcia - AllegroBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Meredith Davies, Herbert Blomstedt, Okko Kamu, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Solo Cello Suite No. 3, Op. 87: III. Canto - Con MotoBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Meredith Davies, Herbert Blomstedt, Okko Kamu, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Solo Cello Suite No. 3, Op. 87: IV. Barcarolla - LentoBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Meredith Davies, Herbert Blomstedt, Okko Kamu, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Solo Cello Suite No. 3, Op. 87: V. Dialogo - AllegrettoBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Meredith Davies, Herbert Blomstedt, Okko Kamu, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Solo Cello Suite No. 3, Op. 87: VI. Fuga - Andante espressivoBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Meredith Davies, Herbert Blomstedt, Okko Kamu, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Solo Cello Suite No. 3, Op. 87: VII. Recitativo - FantasticoBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Meredith Davies, Herbert Blomstedt, Okko Kamu, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Solo Cello Suite No. 3, Op. 87: VIII. Moto perpetuo - PrestoBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Meredith Davies, Herbert Blomstedt, Okko Kamu, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic
Solo Cello Suite No. 3, Op. 87: IX. Passacaglia - Lento solenneBenjamin Britten, Erling Blöndal Bengtsson, Meredith Davies, Herbert Blomstedt, Okko Kamu, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic