Search - Benjamin Britten, Mstislav Rostropovich, Peter Pears :: Britten: Cello Symphony, op. 68; Sinfonia da Requiem, op. 20; Cantata misericordium, op. 69

Standard Performances

D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 05/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My chief interest in this disc was the recording of the Cello Symphony with Mstislav Rostropovich, for whom Benjamin Britten composed the piece in 1963. This recording was made not long after the premiere and joins my other recordings of Benjamin Britten's music made by the composer. The brooding quality of this recording has never been surpassed, particularly the forced jubilation of the Passacaglia. Mstislav Rostropovich plays with an exceptionally beautiful tone and the dynamics of his playing, traversing difficult pizzicatos and his expressive pianissimo are a marvel.



The Sinfonia da Requiem was written in 1940 on a commission from the Japanese government to celebrate the 2,600th anniversary of the Mikado dynasty, but the piece was rejected as being too close to Christian liturgy and, indeed, the movement names: Lachrymose, Dies irae and Requiem aetermam reflect the traditional requiem mass. The Sinfonia was dedicated to the memory of Britten's parents. The music, written at the advent of the Second World War has always seemed to me to describe the conflict and the need for peace arising out of war. The drumbeat that begins the first movement creates a feeling of menace that develops as the music is explored. The second scherzo movement has a satirical tone and, again, once can easily read into the martial-like music a military conflict. The final movement is one of consolation and searching for peace that is finally gained and reflected in the orchestra with a soaring theme for the strings and cymbals that gently announce a resolution to the pain that has come in the prior movements.



The Cantata misericordium, written for the Red Cross in 1963, is based upon the parable of the Good Samaritan and is scored for tenor, baritone and chorus. The work was first performed, as it is in this recording, by Peter Pears and Dietrich Fisher-Dieskau. I find the music somewhat reminiscent of Britten's War Requiem, and the message of universal love.



The music is beautifully performed and in the cantata Peter Pears and Dietrich Fisher-Dieskau are perfect soloists. I have had the Cello Symphony performed by Yo-Yo Ma for some time and while a beautiful recording I find the depths plumbed by Rostropovich to be a bit more intense. Anyone interested in Benjamin Britten's music will want this disc, even if you have these works recorded by other artists.

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