A Festival of Britten National Youth Choirs Of Great Britain

• Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976):
• 1 Fancie 02:38
• 2 Festival Te Deum Op. 32 01:04
• 3 A Hymn of St Columba 06:28
• 4 Hymn to St Peter, Op. 56a 01:48
• Three Two-Part Songs:
• 5 Three Two-Part Songs: I. The Ride-by-Nights 06:15
• 6 Three Two-Part Songs: II. The Rainbow 01:15
• 7 Three Two-Part Songs: III. The Ship of Rio 03:21
• Benjamin Britten:
• 8 A Hymn to the Virgin 01:36
• 9 Jubilate Deo in C 03:27
• 10 Hymn to St Cecilia, Op. 27 02:40
• 11 Te Deum in C Major 09:49
• 12 The Ballad of Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard 08:16
• 13 Deus in adjutorium meum 10:30
• 14 Antiphon 05:10
• 15 Jubilate Deo in E-Flat Major 06:09
• A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28:
• 16 A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: Procession 18:23
• 17 A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: Wolcum Yole! 01:30
• 18 A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: There Is No Rose 01:25
• 19 A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: That Yongë Child 02:37
• 20 A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: Balulalow 01:48
• 21 A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: As dew in Aprille 01:29
• 22 A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: This little Babe 01:03
• 23 A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: Interlude 01:29
• 24 A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: In Freezing Winter Night 03:14
• 25 A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: Spring Carol 03:56
• 26 A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: Deo gracias 01:17
• 27 A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28: Recession 06:09
• Benjamin Britten:
• 28 Rejoice in the Lamb Festival Cantata, Op. 30 18:23
• Total Runtime 02:13:09

Info for A Festival of Britten

In the thirty years since the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain were born, they have continued to blossom and flourish. New director Ben Parry was quick to notice they share their birthday in 2013 with Brittens centenary, and the result is this celebratory double album. Over the course of a year the Delphian engineers have followed the various choirs on their courses, and for the first time all seven groups appear on disc six hundred singers, eight conductors, in three different venues. The vast range of Brittens choral output encompasses work to match the character of each of the different choirs, from the fresh-faced eagerness of the Training Choirs to the maturity and sophistication of the elite Chamber Choir. The rigorous training all these singers enjoy bears abundant fruit. Their vocal discipline, their energy, their sheer enthusiasm are vividly conveyed in this unique double birthday celebration.

"This is a very fine collection which will give much pleasure. The singing is skilful throughout. Above all, the listener consistently feels the commitment and enthusiasm of these young musicians...It was a particularly happy idea to include contributions from all the constituent elements, showing the developmental progression that s possible for young singers within this remarkable organisation. We read so many alarming reports these days about the apparent decline in musical education in British schools, especially in the state sector, it s very reassuring to remember that there are organisations such as this - and the youth orchestras - that keep the flag flying so well. I think Benjamin Britten would have loved this album and that he d rejoice to know that these young people are being so effectively trained, not just in his music but in the joys of singing." (John Quinn, MusicWeb International)

"The enthusiasm, energy and technical skill of their musicmaking shines out in everything they do here...A lovely celebration of Britten and our National Youth Choirs." (Choir and Organ)

"These are not performances for those who like their Britten to sound like the Choir of King's College Cambridge in the days of David Willcocks. All preciosity has gone; the vowels are open and streetwise; high solos are taken by sopranos, not trebles." (BBC Music Magazine)

"Each choir has its own conductor but the standard is admirably consistent. For the collector, the main point is not that the choirs are young and amateur so much as the numbers involved...the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain have given a strong reminder of their ambition and quality, if any was needed." (Gramophone Magazine)

"The brooding side of the harpsichord is well represented… this is delivery of the highest order, virtuosic, articulate and supple rhythm… A fine achievement and an extremely satisfying release." (International Record Review)

James Sherlock, organ, piano
Vicky Lester, harp
National Youth Choirs Of Great Britain

National Youth Choirs Great Britain
Founded in 1983, the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain has grown to become one of the most highly regarded and inspirational youth music organizations in the world.

Originally set up as a single choir made up of 100 of the best young singers in Britain, the NYCGB now comprises an educational structure of eight choirs: Boys' Choir for trebles and Cambiata Voices (for school years 5-10) which train together; Girls' Choirs Junior and Senior (for school years 6-10) which also train together; Training Choirs North and South, which are mixed boys and girls (for school years 9-13); the National Youth Choir (for school years 11 up to age 22); and the Chamber Choir for young professionals up to age 24.

This album contains no booklet.