{"product_id":"edward-gardner_phaedra-a-charm-of-lullabies-lachrymae-two-portraits-sinfonietta_2016_disco-virgin-music-group","title":"Phaedra - a charm of lullabies - lachrymae - two portraits - sinfonietta","description":"Between Op. 1 of the \"Sinfonietta\" and Op. 93 of \"Phaedra\", forty-five years of evolution for Britten: the contrast is striking, even if it doesn't teach you anything by saying it... But the juxtaposition may allow the listener to better grasp the natural tendencies of the young composer, and what they have become over the years. The \"Sinfonietta\" still seems largely inspired by Hindemith and his great modal textures, even if the thematic material and the Brittenesque harmonic displacement are already present; from the wonderful Lachrymae of 1950 emerges the great style of Britten, who is only 37 years old but already has behind him the triumph of \"Peter Grimes\", the \"Serenade for Tenor\" and the \"Illuminations\", three of his most timeless masterpieces. That said, \"Lachrymae\" allows him to take his language a few steps further into simplicity and concentration. As for the vocal works presented here, it is great happiness. \"Phaedra\", the composer's ultimate foray into the world of solo vocal music since he was to die a few months after its creation, is one of those indescribable moments of painful yet serene beauty, in a language that is reminiscent of that of \"A Midsummer Night's Dream\": not to be missed under any circumstances. Finally, \"A Charm of Lullabies\" (the term \"charm\", deliberately ambiguous, can mean \"charm\", \"magical enchantment\" or, more surprisingly, \"a flight of goldfinches\"); Britten wanted to gather here a handful of little lullabies like little birds, charming and magical. The orchestral version is by the composer Colin Matthews, who worked for a long time with Britten in Aldeburgh; the resulting work is well worth being placed alongside his great cycles of orchestral songs.© Abeille Musique 2011","brand":"Edward Gardner","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57726469079384,"sku":null,"price":23480229.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/vinyles.com\/en-us\/products\/edward-gardner_phaedra-a-charm-of-lullabies-lachrymae-two-portraits-sinfonietta_2016_disco-virgin-music-group","provider":"Vinyles.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}