Immerse yourself in the timeless artistry of Sir Peter Pears with this comprehensive tribute album, released in 2010 by Decca Music Group Ltd. Spanning a diverse range of genres including opera, requiem, choral, and classical, this collection showcases Pears' extraordinary vocal prowess and versatility. The album features a staggering 131 tracks, including iconic works from renowned composers such as Benjamin Britten, with whom Pears shared a profound artistic partnership. From the hauntingly beautiful "Serenade for tenor, horn & strings" to the powerful "War Requiem" and the enchanting "A Midsummer Night's Dream," this album offers a sweeping journey through some of the most significant pieces in classical vocal repertoire. With a duration of over two hours and fifty-four minutes, it's a testament to Pears' enduring legacy and his ability to captivate audiences with his emotive performances. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the world of classical music, this tribute album is a celebration of Sir Peter Pears' unparalleled contributions to the art form.
Serenade for tenor, horn & strings, Op. 31: PrologueBenjamin Britten, Dennis Brain
Serenade for tenor, horn & strings, Op. 31: PastoralBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dennis Brain, Boyd Neel Orchestra
Serenade for tenor, horn & strings, Op. 31: NocturneBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dennis Brain, Boyd Neel Orchestra
Serenade for tenor, horn & strings, Op. 31: ElegyBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dennis Brain, Boyd Neel Orchestra
Serenade for tenor, horn & strings, Op. 31: DirgeBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dennis Brain, Boyd Neel Orchestra
Serenade for tenor, horn & strings, Op. 31: HymnBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dennis Brain, Boyd Neel Orchestra
Serenade for tenor, horn & strings, Op. 31: SonnetBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Dennis Brain, Boyd Neel Orchestra
Serenade for tenor, horn & strings, Op. 31: EpilogueBenjamin Britten, Dennis Brain
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22: Sonetto XVIBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22: Sonetto XXXIBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22: Sonetto XXXBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22: Sonetto LVBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22: Sonetto XXXVIIIBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22: Sonetto XXXIIBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, Op. 22: Sonetto XXIVBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
The Turn of the Screw, Op. 54 / Act One: Interlude: Variation VII - Scene 8: At NightBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, David Hemmings, Arda Mandikian, Olive Dyer, Jennifer Vyvyan, The English Opera Group Orchestra
The Rape of Lucretia, Op. 37 / Act 1: "Rome Is Now Ruled By the Etruscan Upstart"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra
Canticle II, Abraham and Isaac, Op. 51Benjamin Britten, Norma Procter, Sir Peter Pears
Peter Grimes, Op. 33 / Act 1: "Now the Great Bear and Pleiades"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Marion Studholme, Iris Kells, Raymond Nilsson, James Pease, Jean Watson, Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Peter Grimes, Op. 33 / Act 1: "Old Joe Has Gone Fishing"Benjamin Britten, Geraint Evans, Jean Watson, Sir Peter Pears, Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Peter Grimes, Op. 33 / Act 1: "The Bridge Is Down, We Half Swam Over"Benjamin Britten, David Kelly, Geraint Evans, Claire Watson, Raymond Nilsson, Jean Watson, Marion Studholme, Iris Kells, Sir Peter Pears, Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
War Requiem, Op. 66 / Dies irae: 2i. Move Him into the SunBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Galina Vishnevskaya, London Symphony Chorus, The Bach Choir, Melos Ensemble, London Symphony Orchestra
6 Hölderlin Fragments, Op. 61: 1. MenschenbeifallBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
6 Hölderlin Fragments, Op. 61: 2. Die HeimatBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
6 Hölderlin Fragments, Op. 61: 3. Sokrates und AlcibiadesBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
6 Hölderlin Fragments, Op. 61: 4. Die JugendBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
6 Hölderlin Fragments, Op. 61: 5. Hälfte des LebensBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
6 Hölderlin Fragments, Op. 61: 6. Die Linien des LebensBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
Billy Budd, Op. 50 / Act 2: "We Committed His Body To the Deep"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, London Symphony Orchestra
The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, Op. 35: 1. Oh, My Blacke Soule!Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, Op. 35: 2. Batter My HeartBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, Op. 35: 3. Oh Might Those Sighes and TearesBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, Op. 35: 4. Oh, To Vex MeBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, Op. 35: 5. What If This PresentBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, Op. 35: 6. Since She Whom I LovedBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, Op. 35: 7. At the Round Earth's Imagined CornersBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, Op. 35: 8. Thou Hast Made MeBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, Op. 35: 9. Death, Be Not ProudBenjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears
A Midsummer Night's Dream / Act 1: "How Now My Love?"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Josephine Veasey, London Symphony Orchestra
Albert Herring, Op. 39 / Act 2: "Albert The Good!"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra
Owen Wingrave, Op. 85 / Act 1: "May God bless the Queen"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Heather Harper, Sylvia Fisher, Janet Baker, Nigel Douglas, John Shirley-Quirk, Benjamin Luxon, Jennifer Vyvyan, English Chamber Orchestra
Canticle V - The Death of Saint Narcissus, Op. 89Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Osian Ellis
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "The Boy, Tadzio, Shall Inspire Me"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
The Foggy Foggy DewTraditional, Sir Peter Pears, Benjamin Britten
A Brisk Young WidowTraditional, Sir Peter Pears, Benjamin Britten
O Waly WalyTraditional, Sir Peter Pears, Benjamin Britten
Le Roi s'en va-t'en chasseTraditional, Sir Peter Pears, Benjamin Britten
The Plough BoyTraditional, Sir Peter Pears, Benjamin Britten
Acis and Galatea, HWV 49 / Act I: Lo! Here my love!George Frideric Handel, Sir Peter Pears, Thurston Dart, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult
Acis and Galatea, HWV 49 / Act I: Love in her eyes sits playingGeorge Frideric Handel, Thurston Dart, Sir Peter Pears, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult
Sir Peter Pears, born in Farnham in 1910, was an English tenor renowned for his profound interpretations and his lifelong partnership with composer Benjamin Britten. Their collaboration spanned nearly four decades, with Britten composing numerous roles and songs specifically for Pears, including the titular character in "Peter Grimes" and the co-libretto for "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Pears' career was marked by his exceptional skill and subtlety, making him one of England's leading tenors in the 20th century. He premiered nearly all of Britten's operas and was celebrated for his performances of Bach's cantatas and passions, particularly as the Evangelist. Pears' contributions extended beyond performing; he also edited ancient English vocal music and co-founded the Aldeburgh Festival. Knighted in 1978, Pears passed away in Aldeburgh in 1986, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence the world of classical music.