Britten: The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, etc
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BENJAMIN BRITTEN
Britten: The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, etc
Julie Roset; Lawrence Foster; Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
[ Alpha Classics / CD ]
Release Date: Friday 24 April 2026
Pre-order your copy NOW!
This album pays tribute to composer Benjamin Britten, who will be commemorated in 2026, the 50th anniversary of his death. It was conceived by conductor Lawrence Foster who, with Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, showcases the British composer's impressionism tinged with post-Romanticism. The programme includes his sublime Illuminations, based on Rimbaud's poem, often performed by tenors but originally created by a soprano in 1940. Here, the young and very promising French soprano Julie Roset is the soloist, giving a very engaging performance. Another famous piece by Britten, Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, commissioned by the British Ministry of Education in 1945, is a set of variations on a theme by Purcell that showcases each family of instruments in the orchestra. Although the Sinfonia da requiem (1940) was commissioned by the Japanese government to celebrate the 2600th anniversary of the Mikado dynasty, Britten dedicated it to the memory of his parents. Finally, the Choral dances from Gloriana are taken from the opera-tribute to the Queen of England, who was crowned six days before the premiere on 8 June 1953.
Tracks:
The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation A
The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation E
The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation I
The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation J
The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation L
The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Variation M
The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op.34: Fugue
Les Illuminations, Op.18: I. Fanfare
Les Illuminations, Op.18: II. Villes
Les Illuminations, Op.18: IIIa. Phrase
Les Illuminations, Op.18: IIIb. Antique
Les Illuminations, Op.18: IV. Royauté
Les Illuminations, Op.18: V. Marine
Les Illuminations, Op.18: VI. Interlude
Les Illuminations, Op.18: VII. Being Beauteous
Les Illuminations, Op.18: VIII. Parade
Les Illuminations, Op.18: IX. Départ
Courtly Dances from 'Gloriana', Op.53a: March
Courtly Dances from 'Gloriana', Op.53a: Corante
Courtly Dances from 'Gloriana', Op.53a: Pavane
Courtly Dances from 'Gloriana', Op.53a: Morris Dance
Courtly Dances from 'Gloriana', Op.53a: Galliard
Courtly Dances from 'Gloriana', Op.53a: La Volta
Courtly Dances from 'Gloriana', Op.53a: Lively Marching Tempo
Sinfonia da Requiem, Op.20: I. Lacrymosa
Sinfonia da Requiem, Op.20: II. Dies Irae
Sinfonia da Requiem, Op.20: III. Requiem Aeternam
