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Deceptively simple sounding yet chockfull of musical felicities, this work captivates and moves the listener. After nearly 60 years, this is still one of the most outstanding analogue stereo recording made for Decca and engineered by the brilliant Kenneth Wilkinson. The remastering brings out even more of the presence, clarity and rich aural perspective. Just try the entrance of the animals in the ark enveloped by waves of buggle calls! Owen Brannigan and Sheila Rex have never been equalled, and the underrated Norman Del Mar brought great verve and sensitivity to this classic, recorded in the presence of Britten.
This musical Everyman-style medieval style passion-play by Britten is a one-act opera based on15th-century Chester mystery play recounting the well-known Old Testament story. Designed for performance by professionals, children and amateurs it is - musically - not for everyone. However, it's a early Decca sonic triumph, blending voices, soloists and a small chamber orchestra in a thrillingly realistic, transparent sound vista.
Description:
Title: Benjamin Britten – Noye's Fludde
Artist(s): Conductor – Norman Del Mar
Orchestra – An East Suffolk Children's Orchestra & English Chamber Orchestra
Cello – Terence Weil
Conductor [Assistant Conductor] – Merlin Channon
Double Bass – Stuart Knussen
Leader – Emanuel Hurwitz
Organ – Ralph Downes
Percussion – James Blades
Piano [Piano Duet] – Martin Penny, Viola Tunnard
Recorder – Stanley Taylor
Viola – Cecil Aronowitz
Violin – Ivor McMahon
Vocals [Ham] – Darien Angadi
Vocals [Jaffett] – Stephen Alexander
Vocals [Mrs Ham] – Marie-Thérèse Pinto
Vocals [Mrs Jaffett] – Eileen O'Donovan
Vocals [Mrs Noye's Gossips] – Gillian Saunders, Kathleen Petch, Margaret Hawes, Patricia Garrod
Vocals [Mrs Noye] – Sheila Rex
Vocals [Mrs Sem] – Caroline Clack
Vocals [Noye] – Owen Brannigan
Vocals [Sem] – David Pinto
Voice [The Voice Of God] – Trevor Anthony
Recording Info: Producers: Harley Usill & Andrew Raeburn
Engineers: Alan Reeve & Kenneth Wilkinson
Recorded by Decca 3-4 July 1961 Orford Church, Suffolk
1. Lord Jesus, think on me (Congregation) 3:09
2. I, God, that all this world hath wroughte (God's Voice, Noye) 2:05
3. Have Done, You Men and Wemen All 2:39
4. Now in the name of God I will begyne (Noye, Noye's Children) 4:18
5. Noye, Noye, take thou thy company (God's Voice, Noye) 6:07
6. Wiffe, come in! why standes thou their? (Noye, Mrs. Noye, Sem, Gossips, Jaffett, Ham) 5:09
7. Ha! Children, Me Thinkes My Botte Removes 8:18
8. Now forty dayes are fullie gone (Noye) 5:10
9.Noye, take thy wife anone (God's Voice, Animals, Noye's Children, Mrs. Noye, Noye) 2:39
10. Noye, heare I behette thee a heste (God's Voice) 1:15
11. The spacious firmament on high (Noye's Children, Noye, Mrs. Noye, Animals, Congregation, God's Voice) 7:17
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