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Britten: Choral Works
George Malcolm
Label
Decca
Catalogue No.
4840658
Barcode
00028948406586
Format
1-CD
About
TRACK LISTING / ARTISTS

BENJAMIN BRITTEN (1913–1976)

1–6 Cantata Academica, Op. 62
Jennifer Vyvyan, soprano · Helen Watts, contralto
Sir Peter Pears, tenor · Owen Brannigan, bass
London Symphony Chorus
London Symphony Orchestra
George Malcolm

7–9 Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27
10 A Hymn to the Virgin*
11–16 Choral Dances from ‘Gloriana’*
London Symphony Chorus
George Malcolm

17–20 Missa Brevis in D major, Op. 63
Westminster Cathedral Choir
George Malcolm, organ

21–26 Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30
Michael Hartnett, treble · Jonathan Steele, alto
Philip Todd, tenor · Donald Francke, bass
The Purcell Singers
George Malcolm, organ
Benjamin Britten

*FIRST CD RELEASE ON DECCA

Track previews
Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30: 5. For I am Under the Same Accusation
Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27: O Ear Whose Creatures
Cantata Academica, Op. 62: 8. Docendi ac discendi
Cantata Academica, Op. 62: 6. Et Gubernacula; 7. Ut Ad Longaeva Tempora
Cantata Academica, Op. 62: 3. At huius caelestis; 5. Tum vero Aeneas Sylvius virtus
Cantata Academica, Op. 62: 1. Bonorum summun omnium; 2. Quae bene beateque
Choral Dances from "Gloriana": Rustics and Fishermen
Choral Dances from "Gloriana": Country Girls
Choral Dances from "Gloriana": Time and Concord
Choral Dances from "Gloriana": Concord
Choral Dances from "Gloriana": Time
A Hymn to the Virgin
Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27: I Cannot Grow
Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30: 6. For H is a Spirit
Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27: in a Garden Shady
Cantata Academica, Op. 62: 12. Nos autem cuncti; 13. Vigeatque academia libera
Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30: 4. For the Flowers are Great Blessings
Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30: 3. For the Mouse is a Creature of Great Personal Valour
Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30: 2. For I Will Consider My Cat Jeoffrey
Rejoice in the Lamb, Op. 30: 1. Rejoice in God, O Ye Tongues
Missa brevis, Op. 63: Agnus Dei
Missa brevis, Op. 63: Sanctus - Benedictus
Missa brevis, Op. 63: Gloria in excelsis Deo
Missa brevis, Op. 63: Kyrie eleison
Choral Dances from "Gloriana": Final Dance of Homage
Cantata Academica, Op. 62: 9. Rhenana erga omnes; 10. Ut instissime; 11. O cives.
Recording information

Recording Producers: Michael Bremner (Cantata Academica, Hymn to St. Cecilia, A Hymn to the Virgin, Choral Dances from Gloriana); unknown (Missa Brevis); James Walker (Rejoice in the Lamb)
Balance Engineers: Kenneth Wilkinson (Cantata Academica, Hymn to St. Cecilia, A Hymn to the Virgin, Choral Dances from Gloriana); unknown (Missa Brevis); Cyril Windebank (Rejoice in the Lamb)
Recording Locations: Kingsway Hall, London, UK, 17 March 1961 (Cantata Academica), 18 May 1961 (Hymn to St. Cecilia, A Hymn to the Virgin, Choral Dances from Gloriana); Westminster Cathedral, London, UK, 22 July 1959 (Missa Brevis – Live Recording); All Souls, Langham Place, London, UK, 2 April & 6 November 1957 (Rejoice in the Lamb)
Original LP Releases: L’Oiseau-Lyre SOL 60037 (Cantata Academica, Hymn to St. Cecilia, A Hymn to the Virgin, Gloriana); Decca CEP 654 (Missa Brevis); Decca LXT 5416 (Rejoice in the Lamb)

Reviews

‘The voices of the treble soloists in this first performance… were of superlative quality, underpinned by a striking level of self-assurance which no subsequent recording has quite equalled.’ Musical Times, February 1998 (Missa Brevis)

‘The composer extracts a first-rate performance from his forces, and a special word of praise is due to the boy soprano, Michael Hartnett.’ Gramophone, May 1958 (Rejoice in the Lamb)

‘More than anything this is a work of joy, and how remarkable it is that any musician can reflect the world of today (Britten is no escapist) in such terms of optimism … The chorus is splendidly incisive under George Malcolm’s direction, and the soloists are admirable in every way.’ Musical Times, December 1961 (Cantata academica)

‘Performances are of the best, as is the recording throughout.’ High Fidelity, May 1962 (Cantata Academica, Hymns, Choral Dances)