Purcell, Schubert, Schumann, Fauré & Britten

‘Britten the performer’ should really be ‘Britten the pianist’, whom Gerald Moore rated above all song accompanists. These live recordings (1958) over-favoured the voice and were far from ideally balanced; the remastered applause is disagreeably harsh, and the piano distant and under-nourished. Nevertheless, Britten’s sensitive touch and range of colour are everywhere apparent. Pears’s word-centred approach best suits the English songs and Schumann; he was on top form, with a few harsh moments, easily forgiven, and wonderful control.

Our rating

5

Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:17 pm

COMPOSERS: Fauré & Britten,Purcell,Schubert,Schumann
LABELS: BBC Legends Music
ALBUM TITLE: Collection: Britten the Performer
WORKS: Songs by Purcell, Schubert, Schumann, Fauré & Britten
PERFORMER: Peter Pears (tenor), Benjamin Britten (pno)
CATALOGUE NO: BBCB 8006-2 ADD mono

‘Britten the performer’ should really be ‘Britten the pianist’, whom Gerald Moore rated above all song accompanists. These live recordings (1958) over-favoured the voice and were far from ideally balanced; the remastered applause is disagreeably harsh, and the piano distant and under-nourished. Nevertheless, Britten’s sensitive touch and range of colour are everywhere apparent. Pears’s word-centred approach best suits the English songs and Schumann; he was on top form, with a few harsh moments, easily forgiven, and wonderful control. I cannot previously recall hearing them in Fauré, but once adjusted to Pears’s idiosyncratic French, I found this marvellous cycle exciting and moving.

Julian Rushton

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