Top 5 Favorite Britten Works

[(poco) Sforzando]

Is everyone going to mention Death in Venice?

It's sort of a three-way contest for which is most embarrassing: Britten's opera, Visconti's film, or John Neumeier's ballet. And yet the Thomas Mann original remains supreme . . .

[Ken B]

It's sort of a three-way contest for which is most embarrassing: Britten's opera, Visconti's film, or John Neumeier's ballet. And yet the Thomas Mann original remains supreme . . .

Agreed! One of my favourites, and I will eventually read it in German.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Newest addition: the cello sonata!!!!!!!

[knight66]

My top five are probably in there: but I want to suggest we don'f forget...

The Spring Symphony which is so evocative and as usual with Britten sets terrific poetry.

Their Hunting Fathers requires a virtuoso singer and when taken at the right speeds it conveys terrific savagery.

Rape of Lucretia despite the strange structure it should not be missed.

All of the above as long as none have Peter Pears warbling away in them.

Mike

[amw]

The Violin Concerto is the only one I'd consider a "favourite". But I'll also mention the string quartet so far unmentioned (No. 2) which is maybe, like, a second favourite or something. (Not that I don't like many of the other works listed here, but they have very limited replay value for me)

[kyjo]

Violin Concerto
Sinfonia da Requiem
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge
Four Sea Interludes and Passacaglia from Peter Grimes
Cello Suite no. 1

[SymphonicAddict]

I'm not a big fan of Britten, but I do know he wrote some interesting scores:

Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge
Diversions for piano and orchestra
String quartet 2 (especially for the incredible Chacony)
Sinfonia da requiem
Suite from Death in Venice

[TheGSMoeller]

I'm not a big fan of Britten, but I do know he wrote some interesting scores:

Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge
Diversions for piano and orchestra
String quartet 2 (especially for the incredible Chacony)
Sinfonia da requiem
Suite from Death in Venice

That's a good list, Addict. Have you listened to the entire opera of Venice?

[SymphonicAddict]

That's a good list, Addict. Have you listened to the entire opera of Venice?

Thanks! No, I haven't. I have it complete (from a Decca recording I think). I'm considering giving it a listen later. That suite gave me a fine impression.

[Maestro267]

War Requiem
Piano Concerto
Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
Spring Symphony
Sinfonia da Requiem

[Mirror Image]

I suppose it's time to update my list as I've been listening to a ton of Britten the past couple of weeks.

In no particular order:

Nocturne, Op. 60
A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28
Canticle III: Still falls the rain, Op. 55
String Quartet No. 3 in G major, Op. 94
The Turn of the Screw, Op. 54

As always, my list is subject to change.

[kyjo]

Let's see...

Les Illuminations
Sinfonia da Requiem
String Quartet no. 2
The Prince of the Pagodas
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge

[Mirror Image]

Let's see...

Les Illuminations
Sinfonia da Requiem
String Quartet no. 2
The Prince of the Pagodas
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge

All great works, Kyle. A big thumbs up for mentioning Les Illuminations and String Quartet No. 2.

[Christo]

Violin Concerto
Sinfonia da Requiem
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge
Four Sea Interludes and Passacaglia from Peter Grimes
Cello Suite no. 1

Let's see...

Les Illuminations
Sinfonia da Requiem
String Quartet no. 2
The Prince of the Pagodas
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge

A nuisance called change of mind, three out of five answering to its call, or is it a lure?

[Symphonic Addict]

Updating:

The Prince of the Pagodas
Violin Concerto (heard it live and was incredible)
String Quartet No. 1 (all of them are great, though)
Suite No. 1 for cello solo
Serenade for tenor, horn and strings

[kyjo]

Updating:

The Prince of the Pagodas
Violin Concerto (heard it live and was incredible)
String Quartet No. 1 (all of them are great, though)
Suite No. 1 for cello solo
Serenade for tenor, horn and strings

That could easily be my list as well. I played the 1st cello suite about a year ago - it's wickedly difficult but very rewarding music! And yes, hearing the Violin Concerto live is quite a special experience. I had the privilege of doing so about 5 or 6 years ago and it was quite unforgettable.

[Mirror Image]

String Quartet No. 1 (all of them are great, though)

Yes they are! The best SQs from a British composer. I've heard Tippett's and many other Brits SQs and Britten comes away with first-prize. His compositional voice was always there no matter the genre.

[kyjo]

Yes they are! The best SQs from a British composer. I've heard Tippett's and many other Brits SQs and Britten comes away with first-prize. His compositional voice was always there no matter the genre.

Britten's quartets are very good indeed, but let's not forget about the many fine achievements in the genre by Elgar, RVW, Walton, Bax, Bridge, Arnold, Rubbra, Maconchy, and others.

[Mirror Image]

Britten's quartets are very good indeed, but let's not forget about the many fine achievements in the genre by Elgar, RVW, Walton, Bax, Bridge, Arnold, Rubbra, Maconchy, and others.

I still like Britten's above all those you mentioned with perhaps Walton getting a thumbs up from me.

[SimonNZ]

I'm a little astonished at how lightly Les Illuminations is polling.