Britten: Simple Symphony; Temporal Variations; Suite on English Folk Tunes (2005)

performed by Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo-soprano), Nicholas Daniel (oboe), Philip Dukes (viola), Royal Northern Sinfonia
composed by Benjamin Britten

With this re-release of Britten's orchestral music, another wonderful volume of the late and lamented Collins Classics Britten series is back in circulation. Led by Steuart Bedford, Collins' Britten series was a planned complete edition of the music of the great twentieth century English composer. Unfortunately, after superb releases of the song cycles, the folk-song settings, and a handful of other discs, the closing of Collins curtailed further issues. Naxos has begun reissuing the extant recordings and anyone who wants ... Read More

With this re-release of Britten's orchestral music, another wonderful volume of the late and lamented Collins Classics Britten series is back in circulation. Led by Steuart Bedford, Collins' Britten series was a planned complete edition of the music of the great twentieth century English composer. Unfortunately, after superb releases of the song cycles, the folk-song settings, and a handful of other discs, the closing of Collins curtailed further issues. Naxos has begun reissuing the extant recordings and anyone who wants to hear Britten at his best could do no better than to hear them.This disc includes orchestral music, mostly string orchestra music, from across Britten's entire career from the carefree Simple Symphony of his early maturity through the austere Lachrymae of his last year. Oboist Nicholas Daniel is a sweet-toned soloist in the Temporal Variations. Mezzo soprano Catherine Wyn-Rogers is a honey-toned soloist in A Charm of Lullabies. Violist Philip Dukes is a dark-toned soloist in the... Read Less