Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears enjoyed a lifelong relationship as both composer and performer and as a performing duo. Many of Britten's vocal works were composed with Pears in mind, and the two gave many performances together, both of Britten's music and other's.The performances here date from 1958 and 1959, two concerts at the Aldeburgh Festival. Pears is in top form throughout, and Britten gives a thorough demonstration of his talents as an accompanist. It is perhaps in the English songs of the 1959 concert that their partnership is at its height: in their own language, in music of their own country, in music arranged by Britten himself. Pears sings with the utmost sensitivity to the texts, and Britten is far more partner than accompanist, weaving his piano around the vocal lines.None of this, however, should be taken to mean that the German and French songs from 1958 are any less satisfying. Britten and Pears may have been British musicians, but they were by no means only at home in British music. Their talents and musical sensitivities combine to produce stunning performances of Schubert, Schumann, and Faurￃﾩ as well as Purcell and Britten.REVIEWS:Opera News (2/16/00) - "...throughout the disc, Britten displays his mastery of extracting coloristic variety from the keyboard .... Pears, of course... is the ultimate gentleman-recitalist.... In short, this skill- fully remastered collection...is a grand pleasure from start to finish..."

Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears enjoyed a lifelong relationship as both composer and performer and as a performing duo. Many of Britten's vocal works were composed with Pears in mind, and the two gave many performances together, both of Britten's music and other's.
The performances here date from 1958 and 1959, two concerts at the Aldeburgh Festival. Pears is in top form throughout, and Britten gives a thorough demonstration of his talents as an accompanist. It is perhaps in the English songs of the 1959 concert that their partnership is at its height: in their own language, in music of their own country, in music arranged by Britten himself. Pears sings with the utmost sensitivity to the texts, and Britten is far more partner than accompanist, weaving his piano around the vocal lines.
None of this, however, should be taken to mean that the German and French songs from 1958 are any less satisfying. Britten and Pears may have been British musicians, but they were by no means only at home in British music. Their talents and musical sensitivities combine to produce stunning performances of Schubert, Schumann, and Faurￃﾩ as well as Purcell and Britten.
REVIEWS:
Opera News (2/16/00) - "...throughout the disc, Britten displays his mastery of extracting coloristic variety from the keyboard .... Pears, of course... is the ultimate gentleman-recitalist.... In short, this skill- fully remastered collection...is a grand pleasure from start to finish..."