Every song is a journey: a voyage of the human experience explored through the intersection of poetry and music. In fact, a song serves as a natural extension of the original poem that allows us to experience words in a new and insightful way. A composer of songs is then also a poet: a creator of profound meaning through text, meter, harmony, texture, and lyricism. The great English composer Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) is a prime example. A great lover of poetry throughout his life, and friend to such great poets as W. H. Auden, it is difficult to think of another song composer who consistently chose poems of such high quality and breadth to set to music. Furthermore, Britten seems to fall in line as the rightful successor to Franz Schubert in the way he virtually composes the essence of a poem musically. On this recording by outstanding tenor Eric Rieger and renowned accompanist JJ Penna, we explore the Poet's Journey in three of Britten's most important song cycles, each of which is bound to the works of a great poet: Michelangelo, Thomas Hardy, and John Donne. In each work, we discover Britten's gift of lyricism, superb understanding of the voice, and exceptional pianistic capabilities. One finds a clear reverence to Henry Purcell through the use of florid, expansive setting of text and the use of ancient compositional techniques such as the ground bass. Britten skillfully combines these concepts with modern influences to create something unique and exciting. This album is, without doubt, one of the finest collections of Benjamin Britten's gift to the world of music.

Tracklist:

7 Sonnets Of Michelangelo, Op. 22: No. 1, Sonnet 16, Si Come Nella Penna E Nell'inchiostro
7 Sonnets Of Michelangelo, Op. 22: No. 2, Sonnet 31, A Che Più Debb'io Mai L'intensa Voglia
7 Sonnets Of Michelangelo, Op. 22: No. 3, Sonnet 30, Veggio Co' Bei Vostri Occhi Un Dolce Lume
7 Sonnets Of Michelangelo, Op. 22: No. 4, Sonnet 55, Tu Sa' Ch'io So, Signior Mie, Che Tu Sai
7 Sonnets Of Michelangelo, Op. 22: No. 5, Sonnet 38, Rendete A Gli Occhi Miei, O Fonte O Fiume
7 Sonnets Of Michelangelo, Op. 22: No. 6, Sonnet 32, S'un Casto Amor, S'una Pietà Superna
7 Sonnets Of Michelangelo, Op. 22: No. 7, Sonnet 24, Spirto Ben Nato, In Cui Si Specchia E Vede
Winter Words, Op. 52: No. 1, At Day-Close In November
Winter Words, Op. 52: No. 2, Midnight On The Great Western
Winter Words, Op. 52: No. 3, Wagtail And Baby
Winter Words, Op. 52: No. 4, The Little Old Table
Winter Words, Op. 52: No. 5, The Choirmaster's Burial
Winter Words, Op. 52: No. 6, Proud Songsters
Winter Words, Op. 52: No. 7, At The Railway Station, Upway
Winter Words, Op. 52: No. 8, Before Life And After
The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: No. 1, Sonnet 6, Oh My Blacke Soule!
The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: No. 2, Sonnet 14, Batter My Heart
The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: No. 3, Sonnet 3, O Might Those Sighes And Teares
The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: No. 4, Sonnet 19, Oh, To Vex Me
The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: No. 5, Sonnet 13, What If This Present
The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: No. 6, Sonnet 17, Since She Whom I Lov'd
The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: No. 7, Sonnet 7, At The Round Earth's Imagin'd Corners
The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: No. 8, Sonnet 1, Thou Hast Made Me
The Holy Sonnets Of John Donne, Op. 35: No. 9, Sonnet 10, Death, Be Not Proud

UPC: 888295729864
Label: Affetto Records
Release Date: 6.15.18
Format: CD

Britten / Rieger - Poet's Journey / Song Cycles of Benjamin Britten (CD)