Benjamin Britten : Les Illuminations


Site Search


Other Resources
News Archive








Benjamin Britten : Les Illuminations



Three recordings from 1941, publicly available for the first time following transfer from the original 78rpm discs and lengthy subsequent treatment: the centrepiece is an off-air recording of the American premiere of Les Illuminations with Peter Pears.

"These are historical documents of importance... Technically wonders have been done to what appear to be intractable originals. All Britten and Pears specialists will want the issue to which Colin Matthews contributes authoritative annotations."
Gramophone 1996

Mention Composition Today in the NMC comments box of the order page and get a free copy of NMCs sampler, New Stock,


Track ListingTrack TimeMP3
Les Illuminations: Fanfare2'06
Les Illuminations: Villes2'34
Les Illuminations: Phrase1'02
Les Illuminations: Antique2'14
Les Illuminations: Royaute1'41
Les Illuminations: Marine1'01
Les Illuminations: Interlude2'07
Les Illuminations: Being Beauteous4'12
Les Illuminations: Parade2'44
Les Illuminations: Depart2'51
Sinfonia da Requiem: Lacrymosa9'50
Sinfonia da Requiem: Dies Irae4'58
Sinfonia da Requiem: Requiem Aeternam8'05
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo: Si come nella penna2'01
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo: A che piu debb'io1'16
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo: Veggio co' beià3'08
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo: Tu sa' ch'io so1'46
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo: Rendete a gli occhi1'46
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo: S'un casto amor1'07
Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo: Spirto ben nato4'31

Composers on this disc

Benjamin Britten