BRITTEN: SPRING SYMPHONY; FOUR SEA INTERLUDES - BRITTEN, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, I MUSICI

Britten: Simple Symphony ; Spring Symphony; Four Sea Interludes

Royal Opera House
Orchestra / Britten
I Musici / Felix Ayo

(Spring Sym) “confirmed in my admiration by this, both technically and musically among the best things the gramophone has given us. The music is not difficult for any open-minded listener to enjoy…filled with the composer’s ecstatic response to the manifold beauties of springtime, of innocence and eager youth… Such a performance, and such a recording, were worth waiting for” ...(Four Sea Interludes) “evokes the very different moods of the Sea Interludes intensely and atmospherically”(Gramophone)

“Memorable as it is joyous” (Penguin Guide)

Simple Symphony Op.4
I Musici directed by Felix Ayo Rec.1959
[1] I. Boisterous Bourée 2.31 [3] III. Sentimental Sarabande 7.20
[2] II. Playful Pizzicato 3.12 [4] IV. Frolicsome Finale 2.47

Peter Grimes – Four Sea Interludes
Royal Opera House Orchestra conducted Benjamin Britten Rec.1958

[5] Dawn 3.35 [7] Moonlight 4.20
[6] Sunday Morning 3.49 [8] Storm 4.14

Spring Symphony Op.44
Jennifer Vyvyan (Sopr); Norma Proctor (Contralto); Peter Pears (Tenor) with the
Chorus & Orchestra of the Royal Opera, Covent Garden;
Chorus of Boys from Emanuel School, Wandsworth, London

[9] Part 1 Introduction: Shine Out (Anon. 16th century)
The Merry Cuckoo (Spenser) Spring the Sweet Spring (Nashe)
The Driving Boy (Peele, Clare) The Morning Star (Milton) 17.43
[10] Part 2 Welcome Maids of Honour (Herrick)
Waters Above Out on the Lawn I Lie in Bed (Auden) 11.14
[11] Part 3 When will my May Come (Barnefield)
Fair and Fair (Peele) Sound the Flute (Blake) 5.53
[12] Part 4 Finale:London, To thee I do Present (Beaumont/Flatcher) 7.18