BRITTEN: Folk Songs with Harp, Suite for Harp etc. - Peter Pears, Osian Ellis, Wilbye Consort (2 CDs)

Continuing its exploration of Britten rarities,this Decca Eloquence release features Peter Pears as both tenor as well as director (of the Wilbye Consort) and the much-loved harpist Osian Ellis. While the Pears/Britten recording of Britten’s folk song arrangements is well known, the recording with Pears and Ellis is a decided rarity. Using this as a point of departure, much of the music on this recording incorporates the harp, with the Decca recording of the Suite that Britten wrote for Ellis making its first appearance on CD. In fact, much of this program is new to CD and will be welcomed by all who cherish this composer’s music.

BENJAMIN BRITTEN
Folk songs with harp*+
Two Scottish Folk songs*+
Second Lute Song from Gloriana*+
A Birthday Hansel*#
Canticle V*#
Suite for harp+
Sacred and Profane*#

Peter Pears, tenor*
Osian Ellis, harp+
Wilbye Consort#