Eloquence Classics

All of the few Britten recordings made by Eugene Goosse in 1953, have now been released on Decca Eloquence. Remodelled on themes he wrote as a boy, the ‘Simple Symphony’s’ undeniable charm and charisma have ensured it a constant place in repertoire enjoyed not only by children but by adults too. Much the same goes for ‘The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra’ and this Van Beinum recording, one of the work’s earliest, was something of a demonstration CD in its day. It was coupled with the Four Sea Interludes from ‘Peter Grimes’ as well as the ‘Passacaglia’ and the latter, much requested, now receives its first issue on Decca CD. Britten recorded the ‘Sinfonia da Requiem’ twice, first in September 1953 with Danish forces and then more than ten years later in December 1964 with the New Philharmonia Orchestra. Andrew Porter, reviewing the earlier recording in the February 1955 issue of The Gramophone, declared that it ‘could hardly be bettered’. Some 55 years on, it makes its first appearance on CD