Search - Britten, Peter Pears, John Shirley-Quick :: Britten: Curlew River

A definitive performance

Rinaldo | Durham, NC | 06/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are not many other "operas" like this one. In this work, Britten mixed elements of Japanese Noh theater and medieval morality play. The opera is to be performed in a church, without a conductor, and the characters' bodily gestures are choreographed in detail and must correspond closely to the music. Britten also incorporated elements of Japanese music and medieval plainchant into his own style, which had evolved into a unique mix by the mid-1960s: mostly tonal, but with plenty of dissonance; uncluttered, simple textures with careful and varied choices in orchestration; frequent use of percussion instruments; and a use of "Eastern" musical elements gleaned from Britten's exposure to Japanese music and especially to Balinese gamelan music.



Unlike the previous reviewer, who faults this recording, I would like to defend the merits of this original and probably definitive recording of Curlew River. I have a hard time criticizing the performances of Peter Pears (not "Pearce") and John Shirley-Quirk when I think about the fact that Britten, by this point in his career, knew the singers and musicians who would be performing his music. This kind of artistic collaboration usually leads to rewarding results. Duke Ellington was another composer/performer who had specific musicians in mind when composing his music. Few people would disagree with the claim that the Duke Ellington Orchestra was probably the best group to perform Ellington's music, and likewise I would say that Britten's group of regular collaborators, including Peter Pears (Britten's soulmate, musical and otherwise) were the most qualified to perform his music.



This is not to say that there can never be other great recorded performances of Curlew River (though I can't even think of any other recordings). But Britten's original recording is an exemplary performance of this highly unusual and deeply moving work."

Wonderful Piece in an Adequate Recording

jonathanrichards | London, United Kingdom | 10/04/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Perhaps Britten's finest work is rarely performed and rarely heard of, but for those acquainted with Britten, it is a must have. It is the most magical, moving and haunting piece written for small orchestra and vocalists. The redemption scene at the end in which a madwoman's madness is absolved is of such beauty and power it leaves you breathless.However, this recording does not show the piece to it's full potential. The performances while vocally strong, have brash, harsh and annoying "old men belting" sounds. Even the wonderful Peter Pearce is not at his best here, where his performance of the madwoman is just too sane and slightly cold and nasal. Occasionally, the diction is unclear too (perhaps due to the nature of the piece), and the band/orchestra lacks flow, fluidity and sensitivity.However, I would still urge any enthusiast in 20th Century opera to buy this!"

Church Parable I

R. Albin | Ann Arbor, Michigan United States | 02/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Church Parables are a very interesting experiment in form and contain some lovely music. Britten designed these to be presented in churches though they could certainly be done in a variety of small performance spaces. While some of the vocal music sounds hard to sing but the number of performers required for these pieces is quite modest. They seem to be designed to be something of an equivalent of Medieval miracle plays, focusing on themes of faith and redemption. Two of them, The Prodigal Son and the Burning Fiery Furnace are drawn from Biblical stories and all the music is written with a Medieval flavor. The first Church Parable, Curlew River, is probably the most interesting. A re-imagining of a Japanese Noh drama, Curlew River is the most experimental in form and content. Britten's attempt to recast this Noh play in a western form is quite successful. The Prodigal Son and the Burning Fiery Furnace, well known Biblical tales, are more conventional in form. Of the two, Burning Fiery Furnace has the more inviting music. As a group, these are really enjoyable pieces, and I think Curlew River is one of Britten's best works. Given their small scale, I'm surprised they are not performed more often."