Benjamin Britten - The Complete Works for Oboe - Hermitage Chamber Orchestra - CARO MITIS CM 0102004 SACD rip via PS3 to ISO (2.61GB) | 24bit/88.2kHz flac | Mch (2.18GB) (+6dB gain) | 2ch (900MB) DR13 (+6dB gain) | Classical SS-CD.net review by mwagner1962 October 6, 2006 This SACD from Caro Mitis is a somewhat different departure from their normal release of music from well known composers like Mozart & Bach to unknown composers like Wölfl & Rebel. Britten certainly falls into the well known category, but this music is some more of his less known material. In fact, the only selection on this recording that is actually familiar to me is the "Six Metamorphoses after Ovid". My 1st encounter with this particular composition was years ago while living in Ohio. I heard a CD of this piece played by the superb principal oboe of the Cleveland Orchestra, John Mack. For years I searched for that recording to no avail. Alexi Utkin's playing, like on his other Caro Mitis SACDs, is stunning. I have heard few oboists who demonstrate such a total mastery of what is perhaps the most fiendish instrument, while having such a warm & pleasing sound. This selection alone makes this SACD a winner. The other selections are very enjoyable as well. The Phantasy Quartet (written when he was only 19) already shows Britten's mastery of composition. Whereas many people equate Britten's homosexuality to the content of his music (I hate to mention this but his struggle with his sexuality does dominate much of his music, especially his operas "Billy Bud" & "Peter Grimes"). However, the interesting "Insect Pieces" really represent nothing more than witty musical illustrations of bugs, & the music is very clever indeed! The final composition "Temporal Variations" is a composition that IS laden with meaning. I am not going to go into this here, so you will have to buy this recording to learn more. SORRY!! Originally arranged for Oboe & Piano, Mr. Utkin & another person (Viktor Kozodov) arranged this for string orchestra. Once again, this is typical Britten...masterful, enjoyable, & a treat to listen to. I will eventually sound like a broken record when I review future Caro Mitis SACDs. Let's face it, these SACDs are some of the BEST SOUNDING RECORDINGS available!!! The Polyhymnia team has definitely got their ducks in a row when the record the various Caro Mitis artists. HIGHLY recommended!!!! if you live in USA & would like to know how to order these, please e-mail me & I will let you know how to get them. You can get my e-mail address from my profile! Tracks: Six Metamorphoses after Ovid, op. 49 (1951) for oboe solo. Dedicated to Joy Boughton 1 Pan, who played upon the reed pipe which was Syrinx, his beloved 2:20 2 Phaeton, who made upon the chariot of the sun for one day and was hurled into the river Padus by a thunderbolt 1:13 3 Niobe, who, lamenting the death of her fourteen children, was turned into a mountain 2:35 4 Bacchus, at whose feast is heard the noise of gaggling women’s tattling tongues and shouting out of boys 2:30 5 Narcissus, who fell in love with his own image and became a flower 3:40 6 Arethusa, who, flying from the love of Alpheus the river god, was turned into a fountain 2:25 7 Phantasy Quartet, op. 2 (1932) for oboe, violin, viola and cello. Dedicated to Leon Goossens 12:35 Insect Pieces, op. posth. (1935) Arranged for oboe and string orchestra by Leonid Hoffman 8 The Grasshoper 3:22 9 The Wasp 1:52 Temporal Variations, op. posth. (1936). Arranged for oboe and string orchestra by Viktor Kozodov and Alexei Utkin. Dedicated to Montagu Slater 10 Theme. Andante rubato 1:32 11 Oration. Lento quasi recitativo 1:41 12 March. Alla marcia 1:16 13 Exercises. Allegro molto e con fuoco 1:02 14 Commination. Adagio con fuoco 1:28 15 Chorale. Molto lento 1:57 16 Waltz. Allegretto rubato 1:16 17 Polka. Tempo di Polka. Allegro 1:37 18 Resolution. Maestoso (ma non troppo lento) 1:46 Time: 46:39 http://www.filefactory.com/folder/72bc69c767a557c7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Checksum for iso: 9BEB3C6A597A5D1682E1F38DDEECE698 (p) 2005 Essential Music - Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976). Works for Oboe.iso