Benjamin Britten

[Karl Henning]

It annoys me how the Sea Inteludes are filler on so many recordings! It reeks of cheap programming.

OTOH, the Shostakovich/Britten two-fer that Sarge mentions is top-shelf.

[Karl Henning]

Aside from the musical merits of the work, Grimes is a masterly piece of theatre.  The first time I saw it live was the famous Colin Davis/Jon Vickers/ROHCG production back in the 1980's.  The way the music is tied to that stage action with a versimo-like detail absolutely knocked me out.  Also those haunting cries of "Peter Grimes" from the townspeople/lynch mob during Grimes' mad scene was so compelling.  And best of all, the moment when Balstrode speaks to Peter; "sail out until you loose sight...." in a theatre comes as a real shock.  For me this is a work which is wonderful in any format but overwhelming on the stage.

Fabulous!

[Karl Henning]

The ASO just performed Britten's War Requiem not too long ago. Unfortunately, I did not go.

That was a piece I heard live in Petersburg. Wonderful experience.

[Karl Henning]

I'm going to see them perform the Lutoslawski Concerto for Orchestra tomorrow. Excited!

As for Spano's conducting, he may not be the greatest interpreter in the world but he is quite the capable conductor, in my book. I've always really enjoyed him in live performance.

Cool! Last I heard the Lutoslawski live was in Buffalo.

[Karl Henning]

But, back to Britten: my late operas box has resurfaced, so I'll be joining the party soon.

[San Antone]

I've always thought the Britten Conducts Opera boxes to be the definitive recordings. 

 

But never thought considered this other box:



Thoughts?

[Mirror Image]

I've always thought the Britten Conducts Opera boxes to be the definitive recordings. 

 

But never thought considered this other box:



Thoughts?

Isn't the large set essentially those two other sets combined?

[San Antone]

You are probably right.      I couldn't find a description of it and didn't think that they were both on Decca.

[Papy Oli]

Hi SA,
here are the contents of the Decca big Opera box :

https://www.deccaclassics.com/gb/cat/4785448

[San Antone]

Hi SA,
here are the contents of the Decca big Opera box :

https://www.deccaclassics.com/gb/cat/4785448

Thanks.  I didn't go over all of the operas for cast, but Paul Bunyan is a different production - so there are some differences after all.

[Mirror Image]

You are probably right.      I couldn't find a description of it and didn't think that they were both on Decca.

Do you own most of the works found in this box set?



https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8035596--britten-the-complete-works-for-voice

This is another extremely worthwhile set, IMHO.

[San Antone]

Do you own most of the works found in this box set?



https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8035596--britten-the-complete-works-for-voice

This is another extremely worthwhile set, IMHO.

I don't really own any of them, i.e. I have some old LP box sets, somewhere, and have no plans to purchase any of these recordings.  I listen to them on Spotify where the two volume Britten Conducts Opera 1 & 2 are found.  I prefer the Britten led performances, so those two boxes are enough for me.

[Mirror Image]

I don't really own any of them, i.e. I have some old LP box sets, somewhere, and have no plans to purchase any of these recordings.  I listen to them on Spotify where the two volume Britten Conducts Opera 1 & 2 are found.  I prefer the Britten led performances, so those two boxes are enough for me.

Well, I wasn't suggesting you buy the afore linked box set as I know you stream music nowadays and rarely buy anything. Do you only have an interest in Britten's operatic music?

[Mirror Image]

But, back to Britten: my late operas box has resurfaced, so I'll be joining the party soon.

Very nice, Karl. Do you have any favorite Britten works or works that have meant a lot to you?

[San Antone]

Do you only have an interest in Britten's operatic music?

Of course: string quartets, solo cello suites, chamber music in general, songs, Frank Bridge Variations, Serenade for tenor, horn & strings, Nocturnal for guitar after John Dowland.  But he is not among my top 25 composers, not even top 50.  A while back I began a list of the 100 composers I listen to and enjoy the most, and have been refining it over time.  I have Britten in the 75-100 group, #77 actually.   

I think I am partial to the operas, though and I may think that they are his greatest achievement.

[Mirror Image]

Of course: string quartets, solo cello suites, chamber music in general, songs, Frank Bridge Variations, Serenade for tenor, horn & strings, Nocturnal for guitar after John Dowland.  But he is not among my top 25 composers, not even top 50.  A while back I began a list of the 100 composers I listen to and enjoy the most, and have been refining it over time.  I have Britten in the 75-100 group, #77 actually.   

I think I am partial to the operas, though and I may think that they are his greatest achievement.

Very good to hear except for Britten being so low on the totem pole for you. Oh well, to each their own. Hopefully, you'll continue to enjoy his music. Personally, I would never put Britten in the same stratosphere as Debussy, Ravel, and Bartók (my 'Top 3'), but he certainly has made it into my 'Top 10' but I'm not sure for how long.

[JBS]

Are there any clear preferences for any particular recording over another of
1) Midsummer Nights Dream
2) Turn of the Screw
3) Owen Wingrave
4) Death in Venice

Those are the four Britten operas I don't have a recording of.

[Mirror Image]

Are there any clear preferences for any particular recording over another of
1) Midsummer Nights Dream
2) Turn of the Screw
3) Owen Wingrave
4) Death in Venice

Those are the four Britten operas I don't have a recording of.

I prefer the Steuart Bedford recording of Death in Venice and The Turn of the Screw to the others I've heard. The Britten-led A Midsummer Night's Dream is great, but I haven't heard any other performance of this opera. I haven't heard Owen Wingrave yet.

[Mirror Image]

Cross-posted from the 'Listening' thread -

Britten
Violin Concerto, Op. 15 (revised version)
Little
Gardner
BBC Philharmonic



Tasmin Little is outstanding in the Britten VC! I've never felt a strong connection to this work until I really started listening to other performances besides Britten's own recording of the concerto (with violinist Mark Lubotsky on Decca). I always found the Lubotsky/Britten performance to be overrated (I feel the same way about the Richter/Britten recording of the PC). Britten was always a strong advocate of his own music, but not in these two concerti, IMHO.

[Karl Henning]

I've begun reading Neil Powell's Benjamin Britten: A Life for Music.