Track Listings (16) - Disc #1| All Artists: Catherine Wyn-Rogers Title: Britten - Christ's Nativity / Gritton, Wyn-Rogers, Holst Singer, Layton Members Wishing: 0 Total Copies: 0 Label: Hyperion UK Release Date: 11/21/1995 Album Type: Import Genres: Special Interest, Classical Styles: Holiday & Wedding, Opera & Classical Vocal Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC: 034571168258 |
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Search - Catherine Wyn-Rogers :: Britten - Christ's Nativity / Gritton, Wyn-Rogers, Holst Singer, Layton
 | Catherine Wyn-Rogers Britten - Christ's Nativity / Gritton, Wyn-Rogers, Holst Singer, Layton Genres: Special Interest, Classical
How does a 19-year-old conceive a work so complex yet so accessible, so original yet so involved as A Boy Was Born? This theme and six variations for mixed voices and boys' choir, with texts primarily from 15th- and 16th... more » |
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Amazon.com How does a 19-year-old conceive a work so complex yet so accessible, so original yet so involved as A Boy Was Born? This theme and six variations for mixed voices and boys' choir, with texts primarily from 15th- and 16th- century sources, is one of the great choral masterpieces, and one of the most challenging for singers. Within its marvelous textures, harmonies, and rhythms are the seeds of many of Britten's later works--but, remarkably, the piece also stands on its own as a fully finished and mature work. The truth of its genius is most apparent in Variation 5, a setting of the Christina Rossetti poem "In the bleak mid-winter" for women's voices combined with a tender, soaring melody ("Corpus Christi Carol") and separate text sung by boys. This is one of those rare moments in music that leaves you silent and in awe--made even more effective by these exceptionally accomplished performers, whose expression and choice of tempo is absolutely right. --David Vernier Similarly Requested CDs
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CD ReviewsA voice teacher and early music fan George Peabody | Planet Earth | 11/27/2006 (5 out of 5 stars) "BRITTEN AND GRITTON WITH YOU I AM SMITTEN!!!!
This present disc brings together a selection of Britten's choral music for Christmastide, a season he much enjoyed, to the end of his life. The earliest is 'A Hymn to the Virgin' composed on July 9, 1930,and was first performed at St. John's Church on January 5, 1931, at which time his Mother sang the alto part in the solo quartet. The anonymous 14th century text in praise of the Virgin Mary is set for two contrasted groups of voices, one large, the other small. 'Christ's Nativity' is a fascinating choral work from Britten's student days, and is here receiving its first recording. There are 5 settings, all of which were written at different times starting with January, 1931. They are: 'Christ's Nativity'-'Sweet was the Song'-'Preparations'-New Prince,New Pomp'-'Carol of King Cnut'. Eventually, Britten reordered them into a "Christmas Suite". It's first complete performance waas given as part of the 1991 Adelburgh Festival by the Britten Singers. "A Boy was Born", for mixed voices and boys' choir, is written in the form of an instrumental theme and variatons. There are five variations in sequence on a theme heard at the outset. They are:(1) A Boy Was Born (2) Variation 1 'Lullay,Jesu' derived form the theme in the form of a 'lullay' ostinato thruout (3) Variation 2 'Herod" is a scherzo that includes superimposed (Bartokian) 4ths. (4) Variation 3 'Jesu, As Thou Art Our Saviour' juxtaposes choral homophony with lovely pentatonic melismas from the Boys Choir (5) Variation 4 'The Three Kings' consists of a processional coming out of the distance, passing by, and disappearing (6) Variation 5 'In the Bleak Midwinter' the folk-song melody of the 'Corpus Christi Carol (boys choir) is heard against a background of women's voices. (7) the 'Finale-Noel' comprises an elaborate and very exciting rondo structure in which additional carols are incorporated in episodes.The first performance of 'A Boy is Born' was given Feb.23, 1934. Britten set a poem by Auden ( a friend of his) 'A Shepherd' s Carol' in March of 1942. Auden suggested that the accompanying music should be either Jazz or folk-song, and Britten complied; thus the easy laid-back nature of the setting, redolent of American "pop" music The recording is completed by a pair of compositions unrelated to Christmas, but fine examples of Britten's liturgical music. The Holst Singers have long been one of my favorite choral groups, largely because they often sing repertoire that is not as commonly performed or recorded; not the case, however, with this disc. There is an excellent boy soprano featured in parts of 'A Boy Was Born' (Connor Burrowes)and a very enjoyable quartet in 'A Hymn To The Virgin'. Susan Gritton (soprano) and Catherine Wyn-Rogers (contralto)contribute beautifully in their solo passages and The St. Paul's Cathedral Choristers are delightfully divine! What a wonderful collection of music, and performed superbly by all participants! The genius of Britten is displayed herein for all to marvel and enjoy.!!!! " |
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