Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Benjamin Britten's musical genius with the upcoming release, "Britten: Our Hunting Fathers, Quatre chansons françaises, Folksongs & Sinfonietta." Set to debut on Warner Classics on August 28, 2025, this album is a captivating journey through Britten's diverse compositions, spanning classical, choral, and operatic genres.
The album features a stellar lineup of performances by Ian Bostridge, the Britten Sinfonia, and conducted by Daniel Harding. It includes a variety of Britten's works, from the hauntingly beautiful "Quatre chansons françaises" to the dynamic "Sinfonietta" and the dramatic "Our Hunting Fathers." The folksong arrangements, both from the British Isles and France, showcase Britten's ability to blend traditional melodies with his unique orchestral vision.
With a total runtime of 1 hour and 8 minutes, this album offers a comprehensive exploration of Britten's early works, including pieces like "Nuits de juin" and "Oliver Cromwell," which highlight his mastery of both vocal and instrumental compositions. The orchestral versions of the folksongs add a fresh dimension to these timeless pieces, while the "Sinfonietta" and "Our Hunting Fathers" demonstrate Britten's prowess in creating complex, engaging orchestral works.
Whether you're a longtime fan of Benjamin Britten or a newcomer to his music, this album is a must-listen for anyone interested in the rich tapestry of classical music. Prepare to be enthralled by the depth and variety of Britten's compositions, brought to life by some of the most talented musicians in the industry.
Britten: Folksong Arrangements, Book 3 "British Isles": No. 6, O Waly, Waly (Orchestral Version)Benjamin Britten, Ian Bostridge, Britten Sinfonia, Daniel Harding
Britten: 4 Chansons françaises: No. 1, Nuits de juinBenjamin Britten, Ian Bostridge, Britten Sinfonia, Daniel Harding
Britten: 4 Chansons françaises: No. 2, SagesseBenjamin Britten, Ian Bostridge, Britten Sinfonia, Daniel Harding
Britten: 4 Chansons françaises: No. 3, L'enfanceBenjamin Britten, Ian Bostridge, Britten Sinfonia, Daniel Harding
Britten: 4 Chansons françaises: No. 4, Chanson d'automneBenjamin Britten, Ian Bostridge, Britten Sinfonia, Daniel Harding
Britten: Folksong Arrangements, Book 2 "France": No. 8, Quand j'étais chez mon père (Orchestral Version)Benjamin Britten, Ian Bostridge, Britten Sinfonia, Daniel Harding
Britten: Folksong Arrangements, Book 2 "France": No. 7, Eho ! Eho ! (Orchestral Version)Benjamin Britten, Ian Bostridge, Britten Sinfonia, Daniel Harding
Britten: Sinfonietta, Op. 1: I. Poco presto ed agitatoBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Britten Sinfonia
Britten: Sinfonietta, Op. 1: II. VariationsBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Britten Sinfonia
Britten: Sinfonietta, Op. 1: III. TarantellaBenjamin Britten, Daniel Harding, Britten Sinfonia
Britten: Our Hunting Fathers, Op. 8: No. 1, PrologueBenjamin Britten, Ian Bostridge, Britten Sinfonia, Daniel Harding
Britten: Our Hunting Fathers, Op. 8: No. 2, Rats Away!Benjamin Britten, Ian Bostridge, Britten Sinfonia, Daniel Harding
Britten: Our Hunting Fathers, Op. 8: No. 3, MessalinaBenjamin Britten, Ian Bostridge, Britten Sinfonia, Daniel Harding
Britten: Our Hunting Fathers, Op. 8: No. 4, Dance of DeathBenjamin Britten, Ian Bostridge, Britten Sinfonia, Daniel Harding
Britten: Our Hunting Fathers, Op. 8: No. 5, Epilogue and Funeral MarchBenjamin Britten, Ian Bostridge, Britten Sinfonia, Daniel Harding
Britten: Folksong Arrangements, Book 1 "British Isles": No. 7, Oliver Cromwell (Orchestral Version)Benjamin Britten, Ian Bostridge, Britten Sinfonia, Daniel Harding