Celebrating the work of Benjamin Britten, this album combines three of the composer’s enduringly popular, yet vastly distinctive works. Sir Simon Rattle leads us on an unexpected journey through this diverse collection of masterpieces.

Written shortly after the outbreak of World War II, Sinfonia da Requiem meditates in part on the political populism which had, for the second time in just a few decades, plunged the world in to an existential crisis. In this piece, Britten’s rich, yearning harmonies reveal a sombre and dramatic warning of the cost of conflict.

From the darkness of war, we move towards the light with Britten’s choral Spring Symphony. With its mysterious reimagining of traditional English folk song and verse, the work depicts the gradual reawakening of the natural world when winter ebbs away, and spring begins to triumph.

Britten let his imagination catch fire in The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. This brilliantly original showpiece is one of the composer’s best-known pieces, and draws the album to a close.

Composer Benjamin Britten
Conductor Sir Simon Rattle
Performers London Symphony Orchestra
Soloists Elizabeth Watts (soprano), Alice Coote (mezzo-soprano), Allan Clayton (tenor), London Symphony Chorus, Tiffin Boys’ Choir, Tiffin Children’s Chorus, The Tiffin Girls’ School Choir

1. Sinfonia da Requiem, Op. 20 - I. Lacrymosa. Andante ben misurato
2. Sinfonia da Requiem, Op. 20 - II. Dies irae. Allegro con fuoco – Alla marcia
3. Sinfonia da Requiem, Op. 20 - III. Requiem aeternam. Andante molto tranquillo
4. Spring Symphony, Op. 44 - Part I. Introduction. Shine out (chorus)
5. Spring Symphony, Op. 44 - Part I. The Merry Cuckoo (tenor)
6. Spring Symphony, Op. 44 - Part I. Spring, the Sweet Spring (soprano, alto, tenor, chorus)
7. Spring Symphony, Op. 44 - Part I. The Driving Boy (soprano, children’s chorus)
8. Spring Symphony, Op. 44 - Part I. The Morning Star (chorus)
9. Spring Symphony, Op. 44 - Part II. Welcome, Maids of Honour (alto)
10. Spring Symphony, Op. 44 - Part II. Waters above (tenor)
11. Spring Symphony, Op. 44 - Part II. Out on the Lawn I lie in Bed (alto, chorus)
12. Spring Symphony, Op. 44 - Part III. When will my May come (tenor)
13. Spring Symphony, Op. 44 - Part III. Fair and Fair (soprano, tenor)
14. Spring Symphony, Op. 44 - Part III. Sound the Flute (chorus, children’s chorus)
15. Spring Symphony, Op. 44 - Part IV. Finale. London, to Thee I do Present (soprano, alto, tenor, chorus, children’s chorus)
16. The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34 - The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34 - I. Theme. Allegro maestoso e largamente
17. The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34 - II. Variations A-D, Woodwinds. Presto – Lento – Moderato – Allegro alla marcia
18. The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34 - III. Variations E-H, Strings. Brillante, alla polacca – Meno mosso – Cominciando lento ma poco a poco accelerando
19. The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34 - IV. Variation I, Harp. Maestoso
20. The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34 - V. Variations J-L, Brass. L’istesso tempo – Vivace – Allegro pomposo
21. The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34 - VI. Variation M, Percussion. Moderato
22. The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Op. 34 - VII. Fugue. Allegro molto - Animato

Release Date 19 April 2024
LSO0830 | 0822231183020
LSO0830-D | 0822231183068

Producer Andrew Cornall & Jonathan Stokes Engineers Classic Sound Ltd
Recorded 16 & 18 September 2018 (Spring Symphony), 7 & 8 May 2019 (Sinfonia da Requiem), 18 May 2021 (The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra) in the Barbican Hall, London

Booklet in English, French & German

ALAC - Stereo 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Apple devices (MacOS and iOS)
FLAC - Stereo 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Windows and Android devices
MP3 - Stereo 320kbps - Universal compatibility
SACD - Stereo & 5.1 multi-channel - Compatible with all CD players