Britten Complete Folksong Arrangements

Record and Artist Details

Composer or Director: Benjamin Britten

Label: Hyperion

Media Format: CD or Download

Media Runtime: 125

Mastering:

DDD

Catalogue Number: CDA66941/2

Tracks:

Composition Artist Credit
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Lord, I married me a wife Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: She's like a swallow Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Lemady Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Bonny at morn Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: I was lonely and forlorn Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: David of the white rock Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: The false knight Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Bird scarer's song Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: The Salley Gardens (also unison vv and piano) Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Little Sir William Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: The Bonny Earl o' Moray Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: O can ye sew cushions? Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: The trees they grow so high Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: The ash grove Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Oliver Cromwell (also unison vv and piano). VOLUME(pub 1946): Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: La noël passée Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Voici le printemps Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Fileuse Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Le roi s'en va-t'en chasse (The King goes a-huntin Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: La belle est au jardin d'amour Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Il est quelqu'un sur terre Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Eho! Eho! Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Quand j'étais chez mon père. VOLUME 3 BRITISH: Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: The plough boy Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: There's none to soothe Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Sweet Polly Oliver Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: The Miller of Dee Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: The foggy foggy dew Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: O waly waly Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Come you not from Newcastle? VOLUME 4 IRISH (pub Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Avenging and bright Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Sail on, sail on Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: How sweet the answer Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: The minstrel boy Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: At the mid hour of night Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Rich and rare Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Dear harp of my country Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Oft in the stilly night Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: The last rose of summer Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: O the sight entrancing. VOLUME 5 BRITISH (pub 1961 Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: The brisk young widow Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Salley in our alley Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: The Lincolnshire poacher Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Early one morning Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Ca' the yowes. VOLUME 6 BRITISH (guitar: pub 1961) Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: I will give my love an apple Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Sailor-boy Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: Master Kilby Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: The soldier and the sailor Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
Folk Song Arrangements, Movement: The shooting of his dear. EIGHT FOLK SONG ARRANGEMtr: 1976): Benjamin Britten, Composer
Benjamin Britten, Composer
Bryn Lewis, Harp
Craig Ogden, Guitar
Jamie MacDougall, Tenor
Lorna Anderson, Soprano
Malcolm Martineau, Piano
Regina Nathan, Soprano
It was an excellent idea of the ever-adventurous Hyperion to give us a complete edition of Britten's Folk Song Arrangements on these two CDs—Vols. 1, 3 and 5, with piano, from the British Isles; Vol. 2, with piano, from France; Vol. 6 from England with guitar; Vol. 4 entitled ''Moore's Irish Melodies'', plus the late set with harp. The project has been executed, a few reservations apart, with the company's customary discernment over casting. Listening to all the volumes together makes one marvel anew at the sheer invention of the settings, in almost every case appropriate to the song in hand. If one has doubts it is usually over a touch too much sophistication. Sally in our Alley, in any case not strictly a folk-song, is much happier in its original eighteenth-century guise (Henry Carey's) than elaborated with twentieth-century interludes between each verse, but that sort of anachronism is very much the exception, and in any case many of the wonderful originals would be lost to us had not Britten lavished his genius on them. The songs, carefree and sentimental, are part of our tradition and deserve anyone's attention.
Young Jamie MacDougall has the lion's share of the work here and acquits himself with admirable confidence, inevitably aware of Pears's and indeed Tear's shadow, yet willing to set his own pace (often literally) and find his own way into the songs. By and large his approach is straightforward and unaffected as befits this repertory, and his dear, youthful, easily produced tenor is a near-ideal instrument for folk repertory. The merry, bluff, Lincolnshire Poacher, the freebooting Miller of Dee, the seductive weaver (of Foggy, foggy Dew fame), the irresistible Plough Boy all come before us as individual creations. Lorna Anderson is a fit colleague for the tenor and matches him in fresh and apt accents: she is hypnotic in Il est quelq'un sur terre. The young Irish soprano, Regina Nathan, is brought in, appropriately enough, for Vol. 4, the Irish Melodies. Although her tone is rather shallow, she makes a trenchant effect in The Minstrel Boy and dreams nicely through Oft in the stilly night, where Britten's invention is arresting. These seldom- heard pieces are very welcome on disc.
In such a large project there will be a few disappointments. Some pieces, most notably The Ash Grove, Sweet Polly Oliver, Come ye not from New castle are taken appreciably faster, to their detriment, than by Pears and Britten, giving a sense of hurry so that the singers haven't time to savour their words. In a direct comparison with Pears I found MacDougall matter-of-fact in The Shooting of his Dear; where Pears (RCA, 9/93) caresses the words and music, the newcomer merely sings it. Nor is the guitarist Craig Ogden, accomplished though he is, in the Bream class. On the other hand Martineau, given plenty of prominence (too much?), plays Britten's own parts with plenty of character. Harpist Bryn Lewis is suitably virtuoso in music written for Osian Ellis. The voices are recorded with forward presence. Lewis Foreman writes interesting notes. All texts are included, some differing in detail from what is sung. Singers' biographies are given but none for the players, a dated form of apartheid.'

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