Hymnos: Purcell Realizations and Canticles by Benjamin Britten

Featuring

David Munderloh
Edward Rushton
Alex Potter
Olivier Picon
Benjamin Britten

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Composition History

Benjamin Britten's Canticles blend his operatic instinct with his Christian leanings, creating multi-sectional works that resonated in post-war Britain.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Benjamin Britten consciously sought to emulate elements of Henry Purcell's style, learning from Purcell's mastery of handling the English language in song.

Compositional Technique

Benjamin Britten's piano parts for Henry Purcell's works are more than mere 'realizations'; they make the piano an equal partner in the musical dialogue, drawing out latent subtexts.

Composer Biography

Benjamin Britten was highly regarded as a pianist, despite having a somewhat unorthodox technique, and his deep affinity for the instrument is evident in his vocal music.

Interpretation

Benjamin Britten created piano accompaniments for Henry Purcell's music in an idiom suitable for the modern piano, as the harpsichord was not commonly heard in Britain at the time.