Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34, etc.

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The real reason for investing in this bargain reissue is Davis's exceptionally insightful account of the Variations. After a deceptively low-key 'Introduction and Theme', this quickly develops... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Catalogue No: 8573890822
Label: Apex
Length: 67 minutes

Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34

Work length17:05

$1.30

$1.70

BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis

Britten: Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge, Op. 10

Work length27:49

$14.30

$18.70

BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis

I. Introduction and Theme

Track length1:56

$1.30

$1.70

I.I Adagio

Track length2:22

$1.30

$1.70

III. March

Track length1:12

$1.30

$1.70

IV. Romance

Track length1:43

$1.30

$1.70

V. Aria Italiana

Track length1:25

$1.30

$1.70

VI. Bourrée Classique

Track length1:33

$1.30

$1.70

VII. Wiener Walzer

Track length3:06

$1.30

$1.70

VIII. Moto Perpetuo

Track length1:11

$1.30

$1.70

IX. Funeral March

Track length3:43

$1.30

$1.70

X. Chant

Track length1:38

$1.30

$1.70

XI. Fugue and Finale

Track length8:00

$1.30

$1.70

Excerpt, Britten: Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, Op. 33a

Work length11:09

$3.90

$5.10

BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis

I. Dawn

Track length3:12

$1.30

$1.70

II. Sunday Morning

Track length3:39

$1.30

$1.70

III. Moonlight

Track length4:18

$1.30

$1.70

Britten: Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, Op. 33a: IV. The Storm

Work length4:39

$1.30

$1.70

BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis

Britten: Passacaglia from Peter Grimes, Op. 33b

Work length6:49

$1.30

$1.70

BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis

Reviews
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Reviews

2010

The real reason for investing in this bargain reissue is Davis's exceptionally insightful account of the Variations. After a deceptively low-key 'Introduction and Theme', this quickly develops into a reading of striking application and abundant character, plumbing genuine depths in the 'Funeral March' and 'Chant', and conveying an overwhelming sense of pathos towards the close. Of course, no home should be without the composer's uniquely authoritative 1966 account with the ECO on Decca (still unsurpassed and perhaps unsurpassable), but, as 'big-band' contenders go, there's no more perceptive rendering than Davis's.
The couplings include a thoroughly professional, no-frills Young Person's Guide, finely played and with a delectable rhythmic snap in the variation for percussion in particular.
What's missing is harder to define: that sense of playfulness, fun even, you hear in, say, Hickox's excellent account for Chandos, which remains the pick of the digital crop, though Britten's own classic LSO recording is also an absolute must. Davis's Four Sea Interludes are agreeable enough in their comparatively breezy, uncomplicated manner, and it's always a pleasure to hear the imposing Passacaglia given with such intensity. Overall, well worth its modest outlay.

Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34, etc.

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