Description
Benjamin Britten - A Boy Was Born; Festival Te Deum; Rejoice In The Lamb; A Wedding Anthem - Corydon Singers, Matthew Best / Helios Audio CD 2007 / CDH55307
UPC 034571153070
Product Details
Title: Benjamin Britten - A Boy Was Born; Festival Te Deum; Rejoice In The Lamb; A Wedding Anthem
Artist: Corydon Singers
Conductor: Matthew Best
Label: Helios
Release Date: 2007
Format: CD, Album
Country: Germany
Genre: Classical
Style: Modern
UPC: 034571153070
Description
This album presents a collection of choral works by Benjamin Britten, performed by the Corydon Singers under the direction of Matthew Best. The selection includes "A Boy Was Born," Britten's early choral masterpiece composed between 1932 and 1933, alongside "Festival Te Deum," "Rejoice In The Lamb," and "A Wedding Anthem." These pieces showcase Britten's innovative approach to choral music, blending traditional texts with modern harmonies and textures. The Corydon Singers bring a nuanced and expressive interpretation to these works, highlighting the emotional depth and technical brilliance of Britten's compositions. This recording offers listeners a journey through the varied landscape of Britten's choral output, from the introspective and complex "A Boy Was Born" to the celebratory and jubilant "Festival Te Deum."
Track List
Rejoice In The Lamb Op 30
- Chorus (4:20)
- Soprano Solo (2:34)
- Alto Solo (1:05)
- Tenor Solo (2:17)
- Chorus (2:56)
- Bass Solo & Chorus I (1:21)
- Bass Solo & Chorus II (3:00)
- Bass Solo & Chorus III (1:28)
A Wedding Anthem (Amo Ergo Sum)
- (10:04)
Festival Te Deum Op 32
- (7:47)
A Boy Was Born Op 3
- Theme: A Boy Was Born (2:11)
- Variation I: Lullay, Jesu (4:28)
- Variation II: Herod (2:24)
- Variation III: Jesu, As Thou Art Our Saviour (2:44)
- Variation IV: The Three Kings (3:23)
- Variation V: In The Bleak Mid-Winter (4:58)
- Variation VI (Finale): Noel! (9:06)
Interesting
Benjamin Britten, one of the 20th century's most important composers, had a profound impact on choral music, often incorporating themes of peace and social justice into his works. "A Boy Was Born" is particularly notable for being one of Britten's earliest choral compositions, showcasing his early development as a composer. The Corydon Singers, under Matthew Best's direction, are renowned for their interpretations of Britten's music, bringing clarity and emotional depth to these complex works.
- Alto Vocals – Michael Chance (tracks: 1 to 8)
- Artwork [Design] – Terry Shannon (2)
- Bass Vocals – Quentin Hayes (tracks: 1 to 8)
- Choir – Corydon Singers, Westminster Cathedral Choristers
- Chorus Master [Westminster Cathedral Choristers] – David Hill
- Composed By – Benjamin Britten
- Conductor – Matthew Best (2)
- Engineer [Recording] – Antony Howell
- Executive-Producer – Edward Perry
- Liner Notes – Kenneth Dommett
- Lyrics By – Christina G. Rossetti (tracks: 16), Christopher Smart (2) (tracks: 1 to 8), Francis Quarles (tracks: 17), Ronald Duncan (tracks: 9), Thomas Tusser (tracks: 17)
- Organ – Thomas Trotter
- Producer [Recording] – Mark Brown (4)
- Soprano Vocals – Janet Coxwell (tracks: 9), Mary Seers (tracks: 1 to 8, 10)
- Tenor Vocals – Philip Salmon (tracks: 1 to 9)
- Treble Vocals – Roderick Unwin (tracks: 11 to 17)
