Benjamin Britten: Unknown Britten (NMC Audio CD)

This disc features eight premiere recordings: the 3 songs originally intended to be part of Les Illuminations, recorded here by French soprano Sandrine Piau; In memoriam Dennis Brain for four solo horns and strings; the Rondo Concertante for piano and strings, featuring pianist Rolf Hind, the Untitled Fragment for Strings; Variations for Solo Piano; and the completion of Movements for a Clarinet Concerto, with soloist Michael Collins. The Northern Sinfonia is conducted by its Music Director, Thomas Zehetmair.

"One of the most important Britten recordings in many a year." Gramophone

"Seriously beautiful …buy it for Les Illuminations; savour it for those new discoveries." Radio 3 CD Review

"Superb performance of the composer’s song cycle Les Illuminations sung by the French soprano Sandrine Piau ... without doubt this recording goes straight up there with the very finest soprano versions on disc." Presto

"With fine recording quality, excellent presentation and persuasive performances, this is a notable issue." Classical Source

"A fascinating disc [with] lots of little insights into Britten’s musical world." The Guardian

"A rich array of unknown items …well worth hearing." The Sunday Times


"Piau's performance on Les Illuminations alone is worth the price of this fascinating disc" IRR