Britten: The Masterpieces

Various Artists

Britten: The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34 Simple Symphony, Op. 4 Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge, Op. 10 Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, Op. 33a A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28 A Boy was Born, Op. 3 A Hymn to the Virgin Festival Te Deum in E, Op. 32 Jubilate Deo in C major (1961) Hymn to St Cecilia, Op. 27 Songs from "Friday Afternoons", Op. 7 Noye's Fludde Les illuminations, Op. 18 Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings, Op. 31 Violin Concerto in D minor Op. 15

The absolute essence of Britten, distilled into four generously-filled CDs. The objective is to give an insight into all the genres Britten’s music covered, to enable a serious newcomer to the composer to discover the great works. Most of these versions are regarded as ‘reference’ recordings against which subsequent interpreters are judged: His orchestral masterpieces The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra and the Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge are presented in Britten’s own revered interpretations. The vocal masterpiece ‘Serenade for Tenor Horn and Strings’ is offered in the unsurpassed Peter Pears recording with Barry Tuckwell. The Choir of King’s College Cambridge offers the essential choral masterpieces Ceremony of Carols and A Boy was Born, the early masterpiece from the 19-year-old prodigy. Newer recordings include Janine Jansen’s lauded and best-selling interpretation of the Violin Concerto.

Price: $35.98