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Sinfonia's British Music Gem: Britten's Serenade Shines
29 Oct
Summary
- Sinfonia of London explores lesser-known British composers.
- Britten's Serenade features tenor Laurence Kilsby and hornist Christopher Parkes.
- Album highlights warmth and sparkle in string works by Ireland, Walton, Goossens.
John Wilson and the Sinfonia of London have released their third album dedicated to British orchestral music, delving into works for strings. This recording highlights compositions by Ireland, Walton, and Goossens, with Benjamin Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings serving as a central piece.
Ireland's Concertino Pastorale evokes nostalgia for rural life, with Wilson capturing its emotional depth in movements like Eclogue and Threnody. The Sinfonia of London's string section provides a warm, spacious sound, notably in Goossens' descriptive "By the Tarn." Walton's late Sonata for String Orchestra is presented with intricate counterpoint and a lively finale.
Tenor Laurence Kilsby and hornist Christopher Parkes offer expressive interpretations of Britten's Serenade. Kilsby's agile tenor navigates the various moods of the songs, from the pastoral to the nocturne. Parkes provides a confident horn performance. Despite a slight imbalance at a climactic moment in the "Lyke-Wake Dirge," the rendition is considered a significant achievement, marking Kilsby as a notable emerging talent.
