Britten, Walton, Seiber & Fricker: Music for voice and guitar

---

---

This album brings together composers and musicians who stood at a nexus of excellence in British musical life in the 1950s and 60s. They are all linked by the impresario-like gifts of Benjamin Britten, who did so much to re-energize British music in the postwar period. ‘Peter Pears gives the words their full due, and sings with sensitive mastery, while Julian Bream plays with unfailing affection… His folk-song arrangements are delightful, and at least one of them has a guitar part of formidable difficulty. The Seiber arrangements of French folk-songs are simpler in style, but lovely to hear, and the Fricker setting of O Mistress mine, is delightful.…enthralling music and superb performances and splendid quality makes this out-of-the-way record a joy.’ Gramophone, July 1965