Search - Britten, Rolfe Johnson, M Chance :: 5 Canticles

More Examples of the Genius of Benjamin Britten

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 01/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While gratefully the operas of Britten (Billy Budd, Peter Grimes, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Death in Venice, The Turn of the Screw, Albert Herring, etc) are now part of the standard repertoire, there are still portions of Britten's output that go begging for performances. Not only are some of the major orchestral pieces neglected, but also the more intimate works for chamber ensemble are scarcely known or performed. Were it not for the Aldeburgh Festival many of these would have disappeared, as sadly they have from the recorded repertoire. Among these are the deeply moving Church Parables (Burning Fiery Furnace, Prodigal Son, etc) and these Canticles here recorded. That Benjamin Britten remains the finest composer of the English language is indisputable and more is the pity that these deeply felt works are missing from public performance.



This superlative recording helps the cause immensely. Here The Five Canticles (grouped only for historic purposes as they were not conceived as a cycle) are exquisitely brought to life by Anthony Rolfe Johnson, countertenor Michael Chance, baritone Alan Opie, pianist Roger Vignoles, harpist Sioned Williams and hornist Michael Thompson. These works are deeply religious and yet sensuous in both poetry and musical line, very much in keeping with all of Britten's works. 'My Beloved is Mine' relates the poet to God in a sensual manner; 'Abraham and Isaac' distills the ultimate sacrifice in a conversation among God, Abraham and his son at the moment of trial; 'Still Falls the Rain' is set to an Edith Sitwell poem which in turn Britten set to music in the throes of grief for a pianist who committed suicide; 'The Journey of the Magi' is Britten's setting of TS Eliot's poem; 'The Death of St. Narcissus' is especially poignant as it was written while Britten was in his last year's of heart failure. The final works on this CD are three works by Henry Purcell realised by Britten (Purcell had only written the vocal line above a figured bass!).



This is one of those albums requiring a search but the search is more than worth the effort. An amazingly well-performed and recorded recital, this CD is one of the finest examples of Britten's genius. Highly Recommended. January 06



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