Benjamin Britten's "Britten: St Nicolas & Hymn to St Cecilia" is a captivating classical album released in February 1989 under the Hyperion label. This album is a beautiful blend of Britten's compositional genius, featuring the choral and orchestral works "Saint Nicolas, Op. 42" and "Hymn to St Cecilia, Op. 27." The "Saint Nicolas" cantata, a narrative piece, tells the story of the life of Saint Nicholas through nine engaging movements, each offering a unique musical portrayal of the saint's journey. Complementing this is the "Hymn to St Cecilia," a shorter yet equally powerful choral work dedicated to the patron saint of music.
Performed by the Corydon Singers, with notable contributions from Anthony Rolfe Johnson and Matthew Best, the album is a testament to Britten's mastery of choral and orchestral writing. The English Chamber Orchestra provides a rich, textured backdrop to the vocal performances, enhancing the overall listening experience. Recorded in October 1988, the album spans a total duration of approximately one hour, offering a comprehensive exploration of Britten's religious and choral compositions.
This album is a must-listen for fans of classical music, particularly those interested in Britten's works and choral masterpieces. The combination of historical narrative and musical brilliance makes "Britten: St Nicolas & Hymn to St Cecilia" a standout piece in Britten's discography.
Saint Nicolas, Op. 42: I. IntroductionBenjamin Britten, English Chamber Orchestra, Matthew Best, Corydon Singers, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, John Scott
Saint Nicolas, Op. 42: II. The Birth of NicolasBenjamin Britten, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, English Chamber Orchestra, Harry Briggs, John Scott, Matthew Best, The Choir of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle
Saint Nicolas, Op. 42: III. Nicolas Devotes Himself to GodBenjamin Britten, Matthew Best, English Chamber Orchestra, Anthony Rolfe Johnson
Saint Nicolas, Op. 42: IV. He Journeys to PalestineBenjamin Britten, Matthew Best, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, English Chamber Orchestra, Girls of Warwick University Chamber Choir, Corydon Singers
Saint Nicolas, Op. 42: V. Nicolas Comes to Myra and Is Chosen BishopBenjamin Britten, Girls of Warwick University Chamber Choir, John Scott, Matthew Best, The Choir of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Penshurst Choral Society, English Chamber Orchestra, Choir of Tonbridge School, Corydon Singers, Choir of Sevenoaks School, Choir of Christ Church, Southgate, Anthony Rolfe Johnson
Saint Nicolas, Op. 42: VI. Nicolas from PrisonBenjamin Britten, English Chamber Orchestra, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Matthew Best
Saint Nicolas, Op. 42: VII. Nicolas and the Pickled BoysBenjamin Britten, Girls of Warwick University Chamber Choir, Matthew Best, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, John Scott, English Chamber Orchestra, Corydon Singers, The Choir of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle
Saint Nicolas, Op. 42: VIII. His Piety and Marvellous WorksBenjamin Britten, English Chamber Orchestra, Corydon Singers, Matthew Best
Saint Nicolas, Op. 42: IX. The Death of NicolasBenjamin Britten, Choir of Tonbridge School, Corydon Singers, English Chamber Orchestra, Girls of Warwick University Chamber Choir, John Scott, Matthew Best, Penshurst Choral Society, The Choir of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Choir of Christ Church, Southgate, Choir of Sevenoaks School
Hymn to St Cecilia, Op. 27Benjamin Britten, Matthew Best, Corydon Singers
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