Britten: Canticles I-V

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the expressive nuance of James Baillieu's piano accompanying is reminiscent of Britten's own...Johnson is at his best in Still Falls the Rain and in The Death of Narcissus, in writing that reveals... — BBC Music Magazine, August 2013, 3 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 11th Feb 2013
Catalogue No: SIGCD317
Label: Signum
Length: 55 minutes

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Britten: Canticle I - "My Beloved Is Mine And I Am His" Op. 40

Work length8:03

$1.50

$2.10

Ben Johnson, James Baillieu

Britten: Canticle II - Abraham & Isaac Op. 51

Work length17:00

Album only

Ben Johnson, Christopher Ainslie, James Baillieu

Britten: Canticle III - Still falls the rain Op. 55

Work length12:01

$2.00

$2.80

Ben Johnson, Martin Owen, James Baillieu

Britten: Canticle IV: The Journey of the Magi, Op. 86

Work length11:13

$2.00

$2.80

Ben Johnson, Christopher Ainslie, Benedict Nelson, James Baillieu

Britten: Canticle V: The Death of St. Narcissus, Op. 89

Work length7:39

$1.50

$2.10

Ben Johnson, Lucy Wakeford

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As part of the celebration Britten's Centenary in 2013, this new recording presents Britten's five Canticles, performed by tenor Ben Johnson with James Baillieu accompanying.

Johnson describes his attraction to these works in his self-penned notes for the disc: "Each is deep with meaning or subversion, a trademark of Britten’s music to a modern audience. They are song, opera, cantata and chamber music, and so they correspond with the most delicate of intimacy and to the most effective of grand gesture … In his biography of Britten, Humphrey Carpenter points out the close links between the Canticles and Britten’s operas. This answers in part their difference from the ‘usual’ song repertoire: their religious flavour (a stronger taste in some than others) mixed with the circumstances of their composition make for a unique strand in Britten’s output."

Ben Johnson has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting tenors of his generation. Winner of the Kathleen Ferrier Awards in 2008, he was also a prizewinner at the Wigmore Hall International Song Competition and the Gerald Moore Awards (singer’s prize). Currently studying with Jeffrey Talbot, he is a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist 2010-2012. Ben Johnson is currently an ENO Harewood Artist and a Wigmore Hall Emerging Talent. His recent opera engagements include Nemorino, 'The Elixir of Love', for English National Opera, Don Ottavio, 'Don Giovanni' for Opéra National de Bordeaux, Novice in Michael Grandage’s new production of 'Billy Budd' at Glyndebourne Festival Opera and productions for Scottish Opera and the Classical Opera Company. In recital he works regularly with Graham Johnson. They have recorded songs by Poulenc for Hyperion records and Britten Songs for Onyx [Onyx4071]. He also works with Roger Vignoles, Malcolm Martineau and James Baillieu.

Highlights in 2012/13 season include Don Ottavio and Alfredo, 'La Traviata' at the English National Opera; he will also return to Glyndebourne Festival Opera in future seasons.

Reviews

August 2013

the expressive nuance of James Baillieu's piano accompanying is reminiscent of Britten's own...Johnson is at his best in Still Falls the Rain and in The Death of Narcissus, in writing that reveals the strength and changing colours throughout his tenor register - just as Britten had intended with the voice of Peter Pears

June 2013

At a few points [Johnson's] singing could do with more poetry to the sound but the unaffected honesty of his singing is always welcome...this new release from Signum Classics is a contender well worth hearing.

June 2013

This is a beautiful recording...Johnson resists any tendency to to over-dramatize these gentle, intimate works and he gives performances that are wholly involving, thanks to the subtle colouring of his voice, the eloquence of his phrasing and the real understanding he shows for the texts.

14th February 2013

If the other vocal contributions don't always quite match Johnson's impeccable phrasing and subtle control and colouring, this is nonetheless a superb collection containing some of the most intensely beautiful of all Britten's vocal writing.

22nd February 2013

the most intriguing realisations are those on which tenor Ben Johnson is joined by other voices

1st March 2013

There’s nothing precious or pained about Ben Johnson’s tenor in his admirable recording of the five Canticles. The tone is sturdy, open and direct.

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