BRITTEN: SERENADE FOR TENOR, HORN AND STRINGS; BRIDGE VARIATIONS, YOUNG PERSON'S GUIDE, SOIREES MUSICALES - BRITTEN, PEARS, KARAJAN, BOULT

Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings, Op.31 [24:58]
Peter Pears (tenor) / Dennis Brain (horn)
New Symphony Orchestra, London / Eugene Goossens (1959)
[1] Prologue 1:28 [2] Pastorale 3:39 [3] Nocturne 3:29
[4] Elegy 4:45 [5] Dirge 4:03 [6] Hymn 2:03
[7] Sonnet 3:57 [8] Epilogue 1:32

Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op.10 [26:41]
Philharmonia Orchestra / Herbert von Karajan (1954)
[9] Introduction & Theme 1:56 [10] Adagio 2:50 [11] March 1:16
[12] Romance 1:38 [13] Aria italiana 1:17 [14] Bourrée classique 1:22
[15] Wiener Walzer 2:45 [16] Moto perpetuo 1:01 [17] Funeral March 3:51
[18] Chant 1:40 [19] Fugue and Finale 6:59

The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op.34 [18:27]
(Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell)
Philharmonia Orchestra / Carlo Maria Giulini (1962)
[20] Theme and Variations 15:26 [21] Fugue 3:00

Soirées Musicales (selection) - Rossini, arr. Britten [7:54]
London Philharmonic Orchestra / Sir Adrian Boult (1957)
[22] 1. March 1:19 [23] 2. Canzonetta 2:27
[24] 3. Tirolese 2:09 [25] 5. Tarantella 1:57

“(Variations)“playing by the Philharmonia strings is of the highest order of distinction, beautifully blended tone at both ends of the dynamic spectrum. This should never be out of the catalogue” (Penguin 3 STARS)

(Serenade) “The remarkable thing about Peter Pears's performance ... is its consistency. This first recording is wonderfully intense with Dennis Brain uniquely magnetic on the horn” (Penguin Guide)