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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | The English Song Series Volume 22 - Benjamin Britten
Britten wrote his Songs and Proverbs of William Blake, Op. 74 for the German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in 1965. The singer admired the ‘concentration and enigmatic smile’ of the settings, and Britten constructed, through alternation of proverbs with songs, and an intense contemplation on the human and the eternal, one of his greatest song cycles. By contrast Tit for Tat sees Britten revisiting youthful, light-spirited settings of the poet Walter de la Mare. The folk-song arrangements are amongst his most famous, and beloved. Britten’s song cycles are some of the greatest produced in the twentieth century. This disc focuses on his Blake cycle, one of his deepest and most contemplative. It’s contrasted with a very different and youthful cycle of five called Tit for Tat, written when he was a teenager. The baritone Roderick Williams encompasses a wide repertoire, from baroque to contemporary music, in the opera house, on the concert platform and in recital. His recital appearances have taken him to London’s Wigmore Hall and many European festivals. He has an extensive discography and his recordings of English song with Iain Burnside have received particular acclaim. “this sombre, discomfiting song-cycle [the Blake settings] remains a strikingly modern-sounding work, thanks partly to Blake’s existential poetry and aphoristic proverbs. Williams illuminates the text, but it’s a relief to move on to Britten’s boyhood settings of Walter de la Mare” Financial Times, 12th May 2012 *** “Williams finds an ideal emotional stance - involved, totally word-conscious but never melodramatic...as a recorded recital, Williams - and Burnside, who is similarly colourful but keeps an interpretative distance from pumping up the text - have created an outstanding achievement.” Gramophone Magazine, June 2012 “Williams's voice is lighter than Fischer-Dieskau's, but his response to the texts is so intense, so well judged that there is never a lack of authority. The juvenile Walter De la Mare settings of Tit for Tat provide the perfect foil, followed by some of Britten's best-known folksong arrangements, all beautifully delivered without a trace of archness.” The Guardian, 24th May 2012 **** “Williams brings a gentler, more intimate touch to what Fischer-Dieskau called their 'enigmatic smile': Blake's Tyger burns bright but with less fierce teeth, and there is more melancholy than menace in this performance's view of the human condition. Every beautifully placed word is matched by Iain Burnside's recreation of Britten's pianistic subtext, glinting with many a revealing musical gloss.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2012 **** “It would be easy to exaggerate the claims of these songs [Tit for Tat], but presented so cleanly and with such understanding as do Williams and his superb pianist, Iain Burnside, they make just the effect the mature composer surely intended.” MusicWeb International, July 2012 | | | (also available to download from $6.00) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears: The Early HMV Recordings
Britten and Pears early collaborations for HMV display an infectious vigour. Britten’s own works, the Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op.22 and the Holy Sonnets of John Donne, Op. 35. are given definitive readings. Also included are folk song settings by Britten, Grainger and Copland and the programme concludes with two of Schubert’s most famous songs ‘Im Fruhling’ and ‘Auf der Bruck’. Essential listening for fans of Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Britten: Folk Songs of the British Isles
Judith Kogan (harp), Maria Jette (soprano) | |
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| |  | Britten - Folksong Arrangements
Australia’s foremost tenor Steve Davislim and conductor/pianist Simone Young are reunited with Melba Recordings to present a mesmerising collection of Benjamin Britten’s Folksong Arrangements. This new CD follows Seduction (MR301108), their highly praised exploration of orchestral songs of Richard Strauss. | | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
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| |  | Schubert: Winterreise
The 1970 colour film of Peter Pears singing Schubert’s great song cycle, Winterreise (sung in German), was produced by the legendary Decca producer, John Culshaw. The songs are staged (Britten accompanying on the piano is not in vision), and introduced with a brief voice-over. | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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| |  | Down by the Salley Gardens
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| |  | Teddy Tahu Rhodes - Vagabond
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| |  | English Song
| | | (also available to download from $10.75) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
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| |  | Very Best of English Song
anon.: | Willow song Alfred Deller (countertenor), Desmond Dupré (lute) | Balfe: | Come into the garden, Maud Robert Tear (tenor), André Previn (piano) | Bishop, H R: | Home, Sweet Home Robert Tear (tenor), André Previn (piano) | Brahe: | Bless this house Dame Janet Baker (mezzo), Sir Philip Ledger (piano) | Britten: | The foggy, foggy dew Robert Tear (tenor), André Previn (piano) The Plough Boy Robert Tear (tenor), André Previn (piano) Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings, Op. 31 Robert Tear (tenor), Alan Civil (horn) Northern Sinfonia, Sir Neville Marriner Les illuminations, Op. 18 John Mark Ainsley (tenor), Pauline Lowbury (violin) Britten Sinfonia, Nicholas Cleobury | Butterworth, G: | Loveliest of Trees Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor), David Willison (piano) Love Blows As The Wind Blows Robert Tear (tenor) Vernon Handley | Byrd: | Lullaby, my sweet little baby Michael Chance (countertenor) Fretwork Elegy on the death of Thomas Tallis Michael Chance (countertenor), Christopher Wilson (lute) | Carter, S: | Down Below Ian Wallace (bass-baritone), Donald Swann (piano) | Delius: | Sea Drift John Noble (baritone) Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Charles Groves | Dibdin: | Tom Bowling Robert Tear (tenor), André Previn (piano) | Dowland: | Sorrow, stay Dame Emma Kirkby (soprano), Anthony Rooley (lute) Can she excuse my wrongs? (First Booke of Songes, 1597) Dame Emma Kirkby (soprano), Anthony Rooley (lute) Awake, sweet love Dame Emma Kirkby (soprano), Anthony Rooley (lute) Woeful heart Dame Emma Kirkby (soprano), Anthony Rooley (lute) Shall I sue? Charles Daniels (tenor), David Miller (lute) Me, me, and none but me Charles Daniels (tenor), David Miller (lute) Flow my teares (Lacrimæ) Charles Daniels (tenor), David Miller (lute) | Elgar: | Sea Pictures, Op. 37 Dame Janet Baker (mezzo) London Symphony Orchestra, Sir John Barbirolli Two Songs Op. 60 (The Torch; The River) Robert Tear (tenor) City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Vernon Handley | Finzi: | Since we loved Ian Bostridge (tenor), Julius Drake (piano) Rollicum-rorum Jonathan Lemalu (bass-baritone), Roger Vignoles (piano) Dies natalis, Op. 8 Wilfred Brown (tenor) English Chamber Orchestra, Christopher Finzi | Gurney: | Down by the Salley Gardens Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor), David Willison (piano) Black Stitchel Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor), David Willison (piano) | Ireland: | The Salley Gardens Dame Janet Baker (mezzo), Gerald Moore (piano) Sea Fever Jonathan Lemalu (bass-baritone), Roger Vignoles (piano) | Johnson, R: | Where the bee sucks Alfred Deller (countertenor), Desmond Dupré (lute) Full fathom five Alfred Deller (countertenor), Desmond Dupré (lute) | Keel: | Trade Winds (No. 2 from Three Salt-Water Ballads) Jonathan Lemalu (bass-baritone), Roger Vignoles (piano) | Morley: | It was a lover and his lass Alfred Deller (countertenor), Desmond Dupré (lute) O mistress mine Alfred Deller (countertenor), Desmond Dupré (lute) | Mortimer: | The Smuggler's Song Owen Brannigan (bass), Gerald Moore (piano) | Parry: | O Mistress Mine Dame Janet Baker (mezzo), Gerald Moore (piano) | Peel: | Bredon Hill Sir Thomas Allen (baritone), Geoffrey Parsons (piano) In Summertime on Bredon orchestral version Frederick Harvey (baritone) George Weldon | Purcell: | Fairest Isle (from King Arthur) Nancy Argenta (soprano), Nigel North (lute) Music for a while, Z583 Nancy Argenta (soprano), John Toll (harpsichord) I attempt from love's sickness to fly in vain (from The Indian Queen) Nancy Argenta (soprano), Paul Nicholson (harpsichord) If music be the food of love, Z379 Nancy Argenta (soprano), Richard Boothby (lute), John Toll (harpsichord) An Evening Hymn 'Now that the sun hath veiled his light', Z193 Nancy Argenta (soprano), Paul Nicholson (harpsichord) | Quilter: | Love's Philosophy, Op. 3 No. 1 (Shelley) Dame Janet Baker (mezzo), Gerald Moore (piano) Now sleeps the crimson petal, Op. 3 No. 2 (Tennyson) Sir Thomas Allen (baritone), Geoffrey Parsons (piano) Come away, death Ian Bostridge (tenor), Julius Drake (piano) | Sanderson, W: | Devonshire Cream and Cider orchestral version Frederick Harvey (baritone) Philharmonia Orchestra, George Weldon | Stanford: | Drake's Drum Robert Lloyd (bass), Nina Walker (piano) The Old Superb Robert Lloyd (bass), Nina Walker (piano) Songs of the Sea, Op. 91 Benjamin Luxon (bass-baritone) Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Norman Del Mar | Swann, D: | A Transport of Delight (The Omnibus) Ian Wallace (bass-baritone), Donald Swann (piano) The Wart Hog Ian Wallace (bass-baritone), Donald Swann (piano) The Hippopotamus Song (Mud, mud, glorious mud) Michael Flanders & Donald Swann | trad.: | Greensleeves Alfred Deller (countertenor), Desmond Dupré (lute) | Vaughan Williams: | Linden Lea Dame Janet Baker (mezzo), Gerald Moore (piano) The Lamb Ian Partridge (tenor), Janet Craxton (piano) The Shepherd Ian Partridge (tenor) Silent Noon Ian Bostridge (tenor), Julius Drake (piano) Songs of Travel Sir Thomas Allen (baritone) Sir Simon Rattle Five Mystical Songs John Shirley-Quirk (bass-baritone) Choir of King's College Cambridge, English Chamber Orchestra, Sir David Willcocks On Wenlock Edge orchestral version Ian Bostridge (tenor) London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bernard Haitink | Walton: | Popular Song from 'Façade' Fenella Fielding, Michael Flanders Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Sir Neville Marriner | Warlock: | My Own Country Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor), David Willison (piano) Passing By Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor), David Willison (piano) Pretty Ring Time Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor), David Willison (piano) Balulalow Dame Janet Baker (mezzo), Sir Philip Ledger (piano) Yarmouth Fair Owen Brannigan (bass), Ernest Lush (piano) | Woodforde-Finden: | Kashmiri Song Frederick Harvey (baritone), Jack Byfield (piano) |
Ranging from Shakespeare’s contemporaries to the Victorian school and beyond, this fine box set calls on some of the greatest artists—including a wealth of British talent—to celebrate the diversity and longevity of English song. From simple melodic expression to the textural sophistication of orchestral settings, with the sea and landscape assuming a prominent role throughout, the songs included here comprise a fitting tribute, simultaneously revealing the rich cultural legacy of English poetry. | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Peter Pears - Anniversary Tribute
Bach, J S: | Ich will nur dir zu Ehren leben (from Christmas Oratorio) Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, Karl Münchinger St John Passion, BWV245: Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas to the judgement Stuttgarter Kammerorchester, Karl Münchinger Mass in B minor: Benedictus Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Eugen Jochum St John Passion, BWV245: Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas to the judgement John Shirley-Quirk, Gwynne Howell English Chamber Orchestra, Wandsworth School Boys Choir | Bennett, R R: | Tom O’Bedlam’s Song Joan Dickson (piano) | Berlioz: | L'Enfance du Christ, Op. 25: Les pèlerins étant venus Goldsbrough Orchestra, The St. Anthony Singers, Colin Davis | Bridge: | Tis but a week When you are old Goldenhair So perverse Journey's end | Britten: | Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings, Op. 31 Dennis Brain (horn) The Boyd Neel String Orchestra Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22 At Night (from The Turn of the Screw) Peter Pears (Peter Quint), David Hemmings (Miles), Arda Mandikian (Miss Jessel), Olive Dyer (Flora), Jennifer Vyvyan (Governess) English Opera Group Orchestra Rome is now ruled by the Etruscan upstart (from The Rape of Lucretia) English Chamber Orchestra Canticle II - Abraham & Isaac Op. 51 Norma Procter (alto) War Requiem, Op.66: Move him into the sun Galina Vishnevskaya (soprano) London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, Melos Ensemble, London Symphony Orchestra Six Hölderlin Fragments, Op. 61 We committed his body to the deep (from Billy Budd) London Symphony Orchestra The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, Op. 35 How now my love? (from A Midsummer Night's Dream) Josephine Veasey (Hermia) London Symphony Orchestra Albert the Good! (from Albert Herring) English Chamber Orchestra May God bless the Queen (from Owen Wingrave) Benjamin Luxon (Owen Wingrave), Peter Pears (Sir Philip Wingrave), Heather Harper (Mrs Coyle), Sylvia Fisher (Miss Wingrave), John Shirley-Quirk (Spencer Coyle), Jennifer Vyvyan (Mrs Julian), Dame Janet Baker (Kate), Nigel Douglas (Lechmere) English Chamber Orchestra Canticle V: The Death of St. Narcissus, Op. 89 Osian Ellis (harp) The boy, Tadzio, shall inspire me (from Death in Venice) English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford Now the Great Bear and Pleiades (from Peter Grimes) Old Joe has gone fishing (from Peter Grimes) The bridge is down, we half swam over (from Peter Grimes) Orchestra of the Royal Opera House O Waly, Waly The foggy, foggy dew The Brisk Young Widow Le Roi s'en va-t'en chasse The Plough Boy | Busch, W: | The echoing green The Shepherd If thou wilt ease thine heart Come, o come, my life's delight Viola Tunnard (piano) | Bush, A: | Voices of the Prophets Alan Busch (piano) | Delius: | To Daffodils Viola Tunnard (piano) | Dieren: | Dream Pedlary Take, o take those lips away Viola Tunnard (piano) | Dowland: | I saw my Lady weepe In darkness let me dwell Julian Bream (guitar) | Elgar: | The Dream of Gerontius: Sanctus fortis London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, The Choir of King's College, Cambridge | Grainger: | Bold William Taylor | Handel: | Love in her eyes sits playing (from Acis and Galatea) Lo! Here my love (from Acis and Galatea) Thurston Dart (harpischord) Philomusica of London, Adrian Boult | Ireland: | The Land of Lost Content The Trellis Love and friendship Friendship in misfortune The One Hope | Lutoslawski: | Paroles tissées London Sinfonietta, Witold Lutoslawski | Moeran: | The Merry Month of May Viola Tunnard (piano) | Morley: | It was a lover and his lass Julian Bream (guitar) | Pilkington: | Rest sweet Nimphs Julian Bream (guitar) | Purcell: | When a cruel long winter (from The Fairy Queen) | Rainier: | Cycle for Declamation | Rosseter: | What then is love but mourning? Julian Bream (guitar) | Schubert: | Gute Nacht (No. 1 from Winterreise, D911) Der Lindenbaum (No. 5 from Winterreise, D911) Frühlingstraum (No. 11 from Winterreise, D911) Der Leiermann (No. 24 from Winterreise, D911) Das Wandern (No. 1 from Die schöne Müllerin, D795) Der Neugierige (No. 6 from Die schöne Müllerin, D795) Der Jäger (No. 14 from Die schöne Müllerin, D795) Die böse Farbe (No. 17 from Die schöne Müllerin, D795) Ganymed, D544 (Goethe) | Schumann: | Im wunderschönen Monat Mai (No. 1 from Dichterliebe, Op. 48) Ich grolle nicht (No. 7 from Dichterliebe, Op. 48) Ich hab' im Traum geweinet (No. 13 from Dichterliebe, Op. 48) Die alten, bosen Lieder (No. 16 from Dichterliebe, Op. 48) Szenen aus Goethes Faust: Die ihr dies Haupt umschwebt im luft'gem Kreise Jenny Hill, Margaret Cable, John Elwes, Neil Jenkins, John Noble Aldeburgh Festival Singers, English Chamber Orchestra | Schütz: | Matthäus Passion: Jesus aber stund für dem Landpleger Meriel Dickinson, John Shirley-Quirk, Benjamin Luxon Heinrich Schütz Choir, Roger Norrington | Tippett: | Boyhood's End The Heart's Assurance Noel Mewton-Wood (piano) Songs for Ariel | Vaughan Williams: | On Wenlock Edge Zorian String Quartet |
The recorded legacy of the great English tenor Peter Pears is substantial and wide-ranging. It embraces Baroque repertory and Elizabethan songs as well as a vast amount of twentieth-century English music and German Lieder. This anniversary collection features Pears in a wide selection of this repertory and it also charts his career as a recording artist from landmark recordings such as the first recording of Britten's Serenade for tenor, horn and strings (made in 1944) through to Britten's Canticle V The Death of St Narcissus (composed in 1974), recorded near the end of his career in 1976. Many recordings included here appear on CD for the first time as international releases. Performances of Vaughan Williams’ On Wenlock Edge, and of Tippett’s Songs for Ariel , are of especial interest, and in a different vein, Pears sings Lutoslawski’s Paroles tissées, which he commissioned. A true rarity is the first ever release of Schubert's Ganymed. Packaging is cap box; 28-page booklet features a new essay on Pears by George Hall. “so astute is his characterization and formidable his musical intelligence that he is able to portray the comic flavour of Albert Herring with as much conviction as the haunting melancholy of Death in Venice....All in all, a superb tribute to one of the most characterful and important singers of the twentieth century.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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Gramophone Awards 2012
Gramophone Magazine
