Search - Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox (Conductor), members of Endymion Ensemble :: Benjamin Britten: Noye's Fludde Op. 59 / Serenade Op. 31 For Tenor, Horn & Strings

Benjamin Britten: Noye's Fludde Op. 59 / Serenade Op. 31 For Tenor, Horn & Strings
Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox (Conductor), members of Endymion Ensemble
Benjamin Britten: Noye's Fludde Op. 59 / Serenade Op. 31 For Tenor, Horn & Strings
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (22) - Disc #1


     
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Wonderful
R. Albin | Ann Arbor, Michigan United States | 12/28/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This work deserves to be known better and performed more frequently. The texts come from a traditional English miracle play. The music is written supposedly for non-professional choirs. As a non-musician, I have no idea if this is true, but it is gorgeous. Britten's tremendous ability to set English texts to beautiful music is on full display. The story and Britten's suggested staging are simple and clever, containing both wit and great emotional power. I saw this piece presented a number of years ago in a local church (with a very accomplished music director) and the effect was astonishing. This is an excellent recording which does justice to the music though the full impact of the piece can be achieved only through seeing a performance."
Noye's Fludde Soars with Hickox
Maestro di Musica | Bellevue, Washington USA | 05/09/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Richard Hickox's recording from the 1989 Salisbury Festival production is brilliant. (This does not appear to be a live recording and the engineering is first rate.) While some of his tempos are quite brisk they, combined with his excellent pacing, reveal Hickox's understanding of the work (and perhaps his flair for drama). Adult soloists are outstanding and the youth have the pithy quality of amatuers in tone but certainly not in musicianship. The children chorus has a natural production and combined with professional singers reflects for whom Britten intended the work: amateurs from a community, school or church, and professionals. That is not to say there is anything amatuerish in this production whatsoever, rather, it is authentic. The orchestra work, complete with the full battery of percussion (including wind machine)is extremely clean. All in all, a model of a performance and the best recording this reviewer knows--truly a classic."