Search - Gerald Finley, Benjamin Britten, Derek Lee Ragin :: Britten: Canticles I-V; The Heart of the Matter

Great performance from Peter Langridge

R. Rockwell | Brooklyn, NY USA | 12/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Canticles are setting of religious poems for tenor and various other combinations of instruments and singers. Athough recorded by Peter Pears, I cannot imagine that his recording could be any better given the profound dedication from all involved.

Canticle 1 My beloved is mine(Quarles)is a setting for tenor and piano Britten uses sensual music like he did in the sonnets of Michaelangelo evenn though the poem refers to god

Canticle 2 is a setting of a medieval poem Abraham and Isaac for tenor counter tenor and piano is surprisingly moving from beginning to end.

Cantice 3 The heart of the matter using poems of Edith Sitwell at 25 minutes may be one of his best compositions and I do include his operas. His word settins are spot on and the use of a horn brought tears to my eyes. Judy dench as narrator as you could imagine perfect.

Canticle 4 and 5 are the only texts not included , they re by T.S. Eliot and would probably cost too much to provide but Langridges diction makes this unnecessary..

4 journey of the magi was the only canticle that didn't seem to raise to the level of thhe others.

5 the death of St. Narcissus (an eliot reader I don't remember this) is a setting for tenor and harp well performed by osian ellis.

As someone who wanted to expand my knowledge of Britten beyond the usual suspects, I was forever moved and find out more'

Get this CD.

Sorry about typos I have a neurologic disease.

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