Search - Benjamin Britten, London Symphony Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra :: Benjamin Britten: Serenade Opus 31 / Les Illuminations Opus 18 / Nocturne Opus 60

Historically and Artistically Significant CD

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 11/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Time has been kind to the works of Benjamin Britten. A composer once thought to be so idiosyncratically British that his music would likely not survive his time has proven to be one of our more enduring artists in music. His song cycles - Les Illuminations for tenor and strings Opus 18, Serenade for tenor, horn and strings Opus 31, and Nocturne for tenor seven obbligato instruments and strings opus 60 - appear on every significant concert stage throughout the world and the number of recordings of all three cycles is rather staggering (so very often the tenor is replaced by some of our most sensitive sopranos for the Les Illuminations).



And yet for the essence of these collaborative works (Britten wrote them for his life partner Peter Pears) it is always refreshing to return to the original statements. These recordings of the three works benefit from Britten's fine conducting of the London Symphony Orchestra and the English Chamber Orchestra and the presence of Barry Tuckwell as the horn soloist. But the glory goes to Peter Pears for his innate sensitivity to the texts. His voice was never one to be termed 'beautiful' but the sensitivity to words and phrasing and drama have yet to be surpassed in this repertoire.



This is one of those Great Recordings of the Century that belongs in every music lover's library. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, November 06"

A Tenor Voice of Awe

John D. Dooley | Southern California United States | 04/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Peter Pears has the most interesting singing voice: almost counter-tenor, pure, but scary. These songs written by his companion Benjamin Britten fit Peter's voice perfectly. The highlight of this CD is "Serenade, for tenor, horn, & strings, Op. 31" which are from famous English poems, some from Shakespeare. The style of the music is almost operatic, or acting out, meaning: the words are expressed with extreme emotion to fit each word or sentence. "Les illuminations, song cycle for high voice & strings, Op. 18" are songs written for French poems that are very interesting but miss the clarity or unity of the 1st set of songs. Maybe its because I am so used to hearing Peter Pears sing English & love the emotional expressions of the words, while only knowing the basics of French, the meaning is lost. The expressions are still there, but lack the universality. In other words; I listen to a lot of non-English singing, some singers can sing any language & still cause the communication of an emotion to come across, while with these set of poems, it's not there. "Nocturne, for tenor, 7 instruments & strings, Op. 60" is my 2nd favorite section specially the last song "When Most I Wink, Then Do Mine Eyes Best See" which comes to the pare of the 1st section because of the hauntingness of Peter's voice. This is a historical recording not to be missed."

Powerful and lyrical

Joe Anthony (a.k.a. JAG 1) | Massachusetts, USA | 11/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording is essential to any classical music library, as it has got to be some of the most beautiful music ever composed for voice and orchestra. Benjamin Britten composes and conducts this wonderful music that he wrote especially with the his "close friend" tenor Peter Pears in mind. This recording is indeed a testiment to the musical and personal bond between the two men who were, indeed, soul-mates.



The "Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings" is my favorite work on this disc. There are some seven songs set to some of the most lovely English poetry. The tenor, horn and string orchestra blend nicely and, once you hear the work a few times it sounds quite powerful and lyrical, especially the awesome "Bolw Bugle Blow" from Lord Tennyson.



Certainly, one of my favorites."