Serenade for tenor, horn & strings
String Quartet no. 3
Peter Grimes
Violin Concerto
Death in Venice
War Requiem
Violin Concerto
Death in Venice
String Quartet 3
Pick any of these for 5th ???...
Midsummer's Nights Dream
Gloriana
Lachrimae (with string orchestra)
Ceremony of Carols
Curlew River
Passacaglia and Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes
War Requiem
Sinfonia de Requiem
Les Illuminations
Suite on English Folk Tunes "A Time There Was..."
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 03, 2015, 03:40:57 AM
Violin Concerto
Death in Venice
String Quartet 3
A few correct answers there,
Greg. ;)
QuotePick any of these for 5th ???...
I know the feeling -
Britten certainly composed enough of quality to not make this an easy task and all the ones you name could easily be on my list as well.
Cello Suites
Nocturnal after John Dowland for guitar
Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes
Phaedra
Death in Venice, opera
... and many more ...
Let's see (in no particular order)...
Sinfonia da Requiem
Diversions
Death in Venice
Suite on English Folk Tunes "A Time There Was..."
Nocturne
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on June 03, 2015, 03:44:48 AM
Suite on English Folk Tunes "A Time There Was..."
I need to listen to this. I barefacedly copped this by dubbing my own
Op.4 Time Was.
Violin Concerto
Sinfonia da Requiem
The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
War Requiem
Festival Te Deum
Curlew River
War Requiem
Serenade
Nocturne
lastly a wild card - could be Nocturnal, could be Cello Suite 3, could be Lachrymae - all of these, btw, happen to be in Britten's own invented form the Hidden Variation, which holds a really sweet sort of poetry, I think.
War Requiem
Four Sea Interludes & Passacaglia from Peter Grimes
Sinfonia de Requiem
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge
Festival Te Deum
Turn of the Screw
Third quartet
Nocturnal
Nocturne for tenor, 7 instruments and strings
Songs from the chinese
The five canticles
Cello symphony
Sinfonia da Requiem
Death in Venice
Nocturne
War Requiem
Sinfonia da Requiem
Gloriana Suite
Violin Concerto
Cantata Misericordium
Quote from: North Star on June 03, 2015, 03:46:16 AM
A few correct answers there, Greg. ;)
I know the feeling - Britten certainly composed enough of quality to not make this an easy task and all the ones you name could easily be on my list as well.
Yep. And I could have a completely different list of works as early as say, well, tonight! ;D
Curlew River
Violin Concerto
Quartet 3
Serenade THS
I cede my final choice to Monkey Greg.
Quote from: Ken B on June 03, 2015, 12:59:24 PM
Curlew River
Violin Concerto
Quartet 3
Serenade THS
I cede my final choice to Monkey Greg.
Canticle II: Abraham and Issac
Diversions
Billy Budd
The Canticles
Introduction and Rondo alla Burlesca for two pianos
String quartet #1
Going through our family's old LPs some years ago, I found an Ormandy Young Person's Guide on which a 14-year-old me had written on the label, "Larry's Favorite Piece." So plainly some guy named Larry liked it. (Wes Anderson likes it too, judging from his "Moonrise Kingdom.")
I will not mention some of the moments in Britten that I find positively cringe-inducing . . . .
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 03, 2015, 05:03:57 PM
Canticle II: Abraham and Issac
Yay! That was one I was thinking of for my fifth spot! I was obsessed by that for a while when I was about 25.
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on June 03, 2015, 05:12:44 PM
I will not mention some of the moments in Britten that I find positively cringe-inducing . . . .
Is
everyone going to mention Death in Venice?
Quote from: Ken B on June 03, 2015, 05:45:50 PM
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 . . .
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on June 03, 2015, 06:03:36 PM
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.
Newest addition: the cello sonata!!!!!!!
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
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)
Violin Concerto
Sinfonia da Requiem
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge
Four Sea Interludes and Passacaglia from Peter Grimes
Cello Suite no. 1
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
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on September 28, 2017, 03:27:20 PM
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?
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on September 28, 2017, 06:17:57 PM
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.
War Requiem
Piano Concerto
Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
Spring Symphony
Sinfonia da Requiem
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.
Let's see...
Les Illuminations
Sinfonia da Requiem
String Quartet no. 2
The Prince of the Pagodas
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge
Quote from: kyjo on December 24, 2019, 08:32:38 PM
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.
Quote from: kyjo on September 27, 2017, 09:43:39 PM
Violin Concerto
Sinfonia da Requiem
Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge
Four Sea Interludes and Passacaglia from Peter Grimes
Cello Suite no. 1
Quote from: kyjo on December 24, 2019, 08:32:38 PM
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?
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
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on December 30, 2019, 04:39:35 PM
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.
Quote from: Symphonic Addict on December 30, 2019, 04:39:35 PM
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.
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 31, 2019, 06:46:53 AM
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.
Quote from: kyjo on December 31, 2019, 08:39:19 AM
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.
I'm a little astonished at how lightly Les Illuminations is polling.
Quote from: SimonNZ on December 31, 2019, 04:11:23 PM
I'm a little astonished at how lightly Les Illuminations is polling.
It's a great work, SimonNZ, but could you tell me why you feel this way? I mean Britten wrote so many fine works that really a 'Top 5' is kind of a joke.
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 31, 2019, 04:38:44 PM
It's a great work, SimonNZ, but could you tell me why you feel this way? I mean Britten wrote so many fine works that really a 'Top 5' is kind of a joke.
Nothing specific, I just imagine it being more popular. I have the feeling its been recorded more often than most Britten works and, more importantly, no matter who your favorite singers are some will have done it and you're likely to have heard it in multiple versions. But certainly there are many great Britten works to choose from.
Nice to see Turn Of The Screw getting some love.
Quote from: SimonNZ on December 31, 2019, 05:59:56 PM
Nothing specific, I just imagine it being more popular. I have the feeling its been recorded more often than most Britten works and, more importantly, no matter who your favorite singers are some will have done it and you're likely to have heard it in multiple versions. But certainly there are many great Britten works to choose from.
Nice to see Turn Of The Screw getting some love.
Well, to be fair, I actually think the
Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra has been recorded more than any other Britten work. This isn't to say that
Young Person's is a better work than
Les Illuminations because it's not, but according to Arkivmusic,
Les Illuminations has been recorded 41 times whereas
Young Person's has been recorded 63 times.
Yeah, I expressed that thought badly. I should have added that it "felt" as though the work was being recorded ever more frequently as it was continually gaining popularity. But again I don't have any data to back up that feeling.
Quote from: SimonNZ on December 31, 2019, 06:37:23 PM
Yeah, I expressed that thought badly. I should have added that it "felt" as though the work was being recorded ever more frequently as it was continually gaining popularity. But again I don't have any data to back up that feeling.
I wouldn't lose too much sleep over this, SimonNZ. ;) Have you contributed a list, btw? I'm not sure if I remember your choices.
My list
Nocturne for tenor, etc
Albert Herring
Paul Bunyan
War Requiem
Diversions
Mind you, there are some Britten operas I have yet to hear, including Death in Venice, Owen Wingrave, and Turn of the Screw.
Some great choices, Jeffrey. There's still many Britten operas I haven't heard, but I'm working on it. So far, I've heard Peter Grimes, The Turn of the Screw, The Rape of Lucretia, Noye's Fludde (fantastic one-act opera!), and Death in Venice.
Quote from: kyjo on December 31, 2019, 03:46:32 AM
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.
The Violin Concerto was a real revelation. Many unperceived details sprung to my ears.
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 31, 2019, 04:38:44 PM
I mean Britten wrote so many fine works that really a 'Top 5' is kind of a joke.
Very true. The same thing applies to many really great composers.
Quote from: JBS on December 31, 2019, 07:09:19 PM
My list
Nocturne for tenor, etc
Albert Herring
Paul Bunyan
War Requiem
Diversions
Mind you, there are some Britten operas I have yet to hear, including Death in Venice, Owen Wingrave, and Turn of the Screw.
The Diversions has been a recent very nice discovery for me.
Quote from: vandermolen on January 03, 2020, 01:52:10 AM
The Diversions has been a recent very nice discovery for me.
Have you heard any of the operas, Jeffrey?
Full disclosure: I've heard very little Britten (no operas) but I have otherwise become quite fond of his music over the past month.
String Quartet No.2 (though any of his great string quartets could have taken this spot)
Variations on a Theme of Bridge
War Requiem (need to spend more time with this, but it's obvious to me and anyone that it's a masterpiece)
Sinfonia da Requiem
Serenade for tenor, horn & strings
Need to hear the violin and piano concertos (for the latter, I really want to hear Richter play it, a favorite of mine and a friend of the composer), and the cello symphony. I suspect I will find love for all of them.
Quote from: vers la flamme on February 02, 2020, 11:58:09 AM
Full disclosure: I've heard very little Britten (no operas) but I have otherwise become quite fond of his music over the past month.
String Quartet No.2 (though any of his great string quartets could have taken this spot)
Variations on a Theme of Bridge
War Requiem (need to spend more time with this, but it's obvious to me and anyone that it's a masterpiece)
Sinfonia da Requiem
Serenade for tenor, horn & strings
Need to hear the violin and piano concertos (for the latter, I really want to hear Richter play it, a favorite of mine and a friend of the composer), and the cello symphony. I suspect I will find love for all of them.
The Hyperion series of the concerto works with BBC Scottish Symphony with Volkov/Manze and Alban Gerhardt, Anthony Marwood, Steven Osborne are a great option as well.
Quote from: North Star on February 03, 2020, 04:37:49 AM
The Hyperion series of the concerto works with BBC Scottish Symphony with Volkov/Manze and Alban Gerhardt, Anthony Marwood, Steven Osborne are a great option as well.
I can only nod my head in agreement. It'd be nice if these three recordings got boxed up to save some other people money (I bought mine all individually of course), but I doubt this will happen.
FWIW, vers la flamme, I was seriously underwhelmed by Richter's performance of the
Piano Concerto. He's obviously a phenomenal pianist, but, IMHO, he doesn't understand Britten's idiom at all.