If I was forced, at knife-point say, to name my very favourite work by Britten, I think it might be his 1943 cantata Rejoice in the Lamb. It seems to me flawless and a perfect example of Britten's genius for word-setting. His treatment of Christopher Smart's adorably naive poem is infinitely touching, making one want to laugh and cry with joy. Decca have now transferred to CD the recording Britten conducted in 1958, with George Malcolm playing the organ (for which Britten writes as if it were an orchestra), a superb quartet of soloists (the treble in particular) and the Purcell Singers with their impeccable diction. It sounds as if it had been recorded yesterday.
St Nicolas belongs to the first Aldeburgh Festival of 1948 and epitomizes the spirit of the music-making there, a skilful blend of professional and amateur, of the homely and the sophisticated. It was the first of a series of works which led, via the glory of Noye's Fludde, to the rarefied Church Parables in which the amateur element had vanished. This recording was made in 1955 in Aldeburgh church with Aldeburgh Festival forces and Sir Peter Pears and David Hemmings as the soloists. It is, therefore, unique, unrepeatable and indispensable.'