Naxos continue to plumb
the rich catalogue of the now sadly
defunct Collins Classics label. Here’s
another release from the ambitious Britten
Recording Project that was undertaken
by Steuart Bedford, a musician more
closely associated with this composer
than perhaps any other. His devotion
to Britten’s work and his personal relationship
with the composer has put him at the
forefront as an interpreter, a position
that is difficult to maintain given
that Britten himself recorded nearly
all of his own music.
This orchestral program
is full of shining moments, beginning
with the Occasional Overture,
composed in 1946 for the debut of the
BBC’s Third Program. This is a lively
piece, full of charm and melody while
at the same time showing off some biting
dissonances and playful good humor.
It is as if the composer tried in seven
and a half minutes to give a preview
of all the varieties of great music
that would be played on the new radio
channel. Bedford leads the LSO in a
sprightly engaging performance, full
of wit and grace.
The Variations on
a Theme of Frank Bridge is the work
which first brought major attention
to Britten as a composer. A tribute
to his teacher, he casts each variation
as a memento to a specific quality in
the elder composer’s personality. Britten
also shows just how well he knew the
art of music by skillfully imitating
the styles of a number of fine composers,
past and present. Included in the roster
are such divergent lights as Rossini
and Ravel. The English Chamber Orchestra
plays with aplomb, and Bedford captures
the various facets of character so carefully
worked into the score. One might ask
for a bit more tidiness from the strings
in the Rossini-esque variation, as the
ornamental figures tend to come off
a bit blurry. That is but a small complaint
though as this reading is on the whole
completely satisfying.
The Prelude and
Fugue was composed for the Boyd
Neel Orchestra in celebration of its
tenth anniversary. In the fugue, each
member of the orchestra was provided
with his own part. This is a fairly
serious work, and it took an extra listen
or two for me, at least, to appreciate
it fully. But there is no doubting the
craft and skill of the composer, and
the performance is above reproach.
Lastly, we hear the
ubiquitous Young Person’s Guide originally
written with narration for an educational
project of the Crown Film Unit. If there
is an overplayed work by Britten, this
is it; nonetheless, I find that I never
tire of all of its wonderful, intricate
and clever devices. In particular Britten
makes wonderful use of the percussion
section, with one variation dedicated
solely to instruments you bang on. Bedford
leads a spirited, vibrant performance.
This disc would make
a great jumping off point for listeners
new to Britten’s music. For us seasoned
veterans, it is a fine revisit to some
old favorites. Very highly recommended
indeed.
Kevin Sutton
English Chamber Orchestra/Steuart Bedford
