Par BRITTEN BENJAMIN. 2013 marks the centenary of Benjamin Britten's birth and major celebrations are planned across the world, making this the widest ever global celebration of a British composer. The previously unpublished Six Early Songs were written during the composer's schooldays, whilst he was studying with Frank Bridge. But even at this tender age, Britten already had such accomplished works as Quatre Chansons Francaises under his belt. The songs on the one hand display Britten's school-boyish imagination (witches, owls and moths), while on the other show a more brooding side, not to mention confident piano writing and an innate understanding of vocal drama. Previously unpublished, these six songs are an important new addition to the solo song repertory./ Répertoire / Voix Moyennes et Piano

Thomas Adès made these four Purcell realisations for medium voice and piano for recitals with the countertenor Iestyn Davies in 2012 and 2017. Four Songs is comprised of two of Purcellâ??s Tempest songs â??Come Unto these Yellow Sandsâ?? and â??Full Fathom Fiveâ?? alongside the much-loved â??An Evening Hymnâ?? and â??By Beauteous Softnessâ??. The whole collection lasts around 12 minutes. Adès described Purcellâ??s manner of setting English text as â??magnificentâ?? remarking that â??the way that emotion the rhythm of the words is rendered into music is incomparably natural and powerful.â?? All of these qualities are brought to the fore in these realisations which should prove an invaluableaddition to the repertoire.

Par BRITTEN BENJAMIN. Post-1900 / Niveau : Moyen / Répertoire / Chant et Piano