Benjamin Britten: Settings of poems by W.H. Auden

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Benjamin Britten's relationship with poet W.H. Auden was complex, the older, more worldly sophisticated Auden serving alternately as mentor, collaborator, advisor, and sometime critic, whose frequent suggestions concerning Britten's private and artistic conflicts were well intentioned but often indelicately intrusive. Nevertheless, Auden wrote wonderful poems, some directed toward or even dedicated to Britten. This disc contains Britten's settings of 16 Auden works, including both versions of "Underneath the Abject Willow," one of Auden's most pointed "directives" regarding the composer's personal life ("Stand up and fold your map of desolation ..."). Tenor Philip Langridge is today's most thoughtful and musically adept interpreter of Britten's songs, and his contribution here is another outstanding effort. His performance of "Nocturne" alone is worth the price of the disc. Della Jones, who sings the Cabaret Songs and two other pieces, is disappointing. Her singing lacks subtlety and lyricism, and her voice often seems uncontrolled and harsh. It's interesting to compare the seven Auden settings by Lennox Berkeley with those of Britten, his far more talented friend. --David Vernier

Tracks:

Five Poems, Op.53: I. Lauds (Among The Leaves The Small Birds Sing)
Five Poems, Op.53: II. O Lurcher-Loving Collier
Five Poems, Op.53: III. What's In Your Mind, My Dove, My Coney?
Five Poems, Op.53: IV. Eyes-Look Into The Well
Five Poems, Op.53: V. Carry Her Over The Water
Night Covers Up The Rigid Land, Op.14 No.2
Lay Your Sleeping Head, My Love. Op.14 No.2b
On This Island, Op.11: Let The Florid Music Praise!
On This Island, Op.11: Now The Leaves Are Falling Fast
On This Island, Op.11: Seascape
On This Island, Op.11: Nocturne
On This Island, Op.11: As It Is, Plenty
On This Island, Op.11: Fish In The Unruffled Lakes
On This Island, Op.11: Night Covers Up The Rigid Land
On This Island, Op.11: To Lie Flat On The Back
On This Island, Op.11: The Sun Shines Down
On This Island, Op.11: What's On Your Mind?
On This Island, Op.11: Underneath The Abject Willow
Cabaret Songs: Tell Me The Truth About Love - Della Jones/Steuart Bedford
Cabaret Songs: Funeral Blues - Della Jones/Steuart Bedford
Cabaret Songs: Johnny - Della Jones/Steuart Bedford
Cabaret Songs: Calypso - Della Jones/Steuart Bedford
When You're Feeling Like Expressing Your Affection - Della Jones/Steuart Bedford
Underneath The Abject Willow - Philip Langeridge/Della Jones/Steuart Bedford

Amazon.com

Benjamin Britten's relationship with poet W.H. Auden was complex, the older, more worldly sophisticated Auden serving alternately as mentor, collaborator, advisor, and sometime critic, whose frequent suggestions concerning Britten's private and artistic conflicts were well intentioned but often indelicately intrusive. Nevertheless, Auden wrote wonderful poems, some directed toward or even dedicated to Britten. This disc contains Britten's settings of 16 Auden works, including both versions of "Underneath the Abject Willow," one of Auden's most pointed "directives" regarding the composer's personal life ("Stand up and fold your map of desolation ..."). Tenor Philip Langridge is today's most thoughtful and musically adept interpreter of Britten's songs, and his contribution here is another outstanding effort. His performance of "Nocturne" alone is worth the price of the disc. Della Jones, who sings the Cabaret Songs and two other pieces, is disappointing. Her singing lacks subtlety and lyricism, and her voice often seems uncontrolled and harsh. It's interesting to compare the seven Auden settings by Lennox Berkeley with those of Britten, his far more talented friend. --David Vernier

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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