Benjamin Britten - Four Sea Interludes from "Peter Grimes"
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- Опубліковано 13 бер 2012
- Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), England / Angleterre
- Four Sea Interludes from "Peter Grimes", Op. 33a
I. Dawn
II. Sunday Morning
III. Moonlight
IV. Storm
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Paavo Järvi
---------------- - Авто та транспорт
I’m currently sitting in the White Lion Hotel in Aldeburgh, looking out of my window and looking at the beach while listening to these interludes. Life doesn’t get much better than this.
Well, there is always Italy.
In the wimter, St Peterburg or Stockholm
Oh you are so right! We visited in November 2018. I loved the Church with the window dedicated to Britten, the graveyard, and the town with its use of stones from the beach. I felt at home. I am sure not everyone's cup of tea.
Especially as MR James used to stay there too. Their restaurant, known as Sea Spice, serves the best Indian cuisine imaginable.
@@christophermartin7927 you’re so right. We’re booked in at the White Lion again next month for a few nights and I can’t wait to get stuck in to the wonderful food! I expect I’ll also be buying some of the freshest fish to bring home from the huts on the beach opposite the hotel.
For anyone who hasn't stood on a deserted beach on the east coast of England on a cold, calm October morning - you only have to listen to the First Interlude. It communicates the experience perfectly.
The most incredibly evocative music, I live just 20 miles from Aldeburgh :-)
Absolutely - you can see where Britten got his inspiration from for this suite if you have ever wandered along the bleak Suffolk coast.
Spot on - the Suffolk Coast is probably my favourite place in the whole world. It doesn't matter where I am, this music will always take me back to Aldeburgh, Shingle Street, Southwold.
Well, actually, it was September when I experienced that...
i too love the Suffolk coast, Aldeburgh, Minsmere, Dunwich, especially out of season when the sea is churned up by the wind, the sand blows up and obscures the horizon, Benjy Britten in music captures this perfectly
Why does UA-cam put adverts in the middle of sublime pieces like this??? A crime against art!
ADBLOCK is the way to go. Heaven!
Because UA-cam are assholes.
Because You Tube owners are capitalists.
Because the elites don't want "essential", peasant workers like us to be inspired by works like this; they know that works of art like this will elevate us and free us to see our own creativity.
Clearly one of the iconic pieces of the twentieth century.
Was fortunate enough to perform the opera on Britten's 100th birthday at Carnegie Hall with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Always loved these interludes but getting to know the complete opera and hearing them in context has been an extraordinary experience. A masterpiece that grows in stature with each hearing.
Also check out George Butterworth's masterpiece .... A Shropshire lad
Such a terrible yet fluid beauty how on earth did this man do this, a unique contribution to the repertoire of English Classical music..
I remember hearing this wonderful music by Benjamin Britten, in Eastern Scotland in a special place built just for orchestral music like this. It was so exciting, especially the Storm. My cousin Thelma Marjoribanks took me. Part of Peter Grimes is hauntingly beautiful near the end. I first heard this music a child on old fashioned records using a wind up gramophone. My sister & I used to dance to them. Rachmninov, Beethovan, Debussy, Ravel, Bach etc, and also lots of Jazz and ethnic African music. We were very lucky. It went into our memories for ever and our range of enjoyment is very wide. My mother was a concert pianist and she played on her piano many types of music. It is so important to let children listen to every kind of music. I also love film music. Cynthia McLaglen
Thank you so much for sharing your life with us in such a way that was inspired by this piece
I. Dawn - 0:00
II. Sunday Morning - 3:52
III. Moonlight - 7:38
IV. Storm - 12:05
Matteo De Martino
Super!
I always appreciate the courteous people like you who do this. Thank you.
Thank you Matteo De. Maritino, that was so lovely of you! I just learned of this opera after hearing what I think was this part on the radio, so thank you for helping me understand what I was hearing.
Thank you for that info...which we had not been given. It made a difference. Gave an understanding of the narrative.
Thank you!
How is it when I here this I am instantly transported back over 35 years ago to Lowestoft were I came of age, and I did not know of Mr Benjamin then apart from a local school named after him and I ran the beach by the Claremont pier not 100 yards from his house, "Oh youth is wasted on the young" this has to be my fav piece of classical music just pure magic .
Aldeburgh Beach was where I practised walking again for the first time after my knee operation..It was hard and pebbly, but lovely. I can feel the pebbles and my elation, both in this spare, light music
I'm not from England, I'm actually from Australia, but I've never felt like this is really my home, even though I was born here and have never been to England. England holds such a fond place in my heart. I swear in another life I lived the Devonshire or the New Forest on a far, or possibly in a Cornish village above the cliffs. This music holds such a place in my heart. It is inexplicable.
Eliya Adler Believe me, I understand. There are many of us who find ourselves strangely transplanted to a strange land in this iteration of life, never feeling our birth country is home. I live in Australia as well, but for me the call of the soil and blood leads to northern France
So please come and visit. Of course it's not all as beautiful as the music, but if you walk along say a beach in Norfolk on a cloudy windy day it really can be.
I'm just struck by the feeling in what you've written here. My heart is warmed by the reaction this and similar music gets from people!
For all its faults I am proud to say I am English to my marrow. This music is England in notes. Rousing, haunting.
I love Ralph Vaughn Williams and Elgar.
I live Elgars home town, Malvern, Worcestershire. What a beautiful place.
I am on holiday everyday on this scepterd isle. Check out Ralph Vaughn Williams Dark Pastoral Work for Cello and Dives and Lazarus.
I ant quantify it but they are so English. Love to you from England.
A Walk near Bamburgh Castle
These pieces work wonderfully well as a set for concert performances, but heard in context in the opera they are nothing less than electrifying. This is a very good performance.
My cousin attends the school in his namesake and says she has had the opportunity to play on the very same piano that Britten himself composed on - just a humble upright in the middle of one of the practice rooms. I wish I could visit to see for myself - maybe after the pandemic? Beautiful town, stunning beaches and area.
What a beautiful thing to aim for! May it be soon, my friend. Thank you, President Trump, for lighting a firecracker under these administrative types to get this vaccine DONE!!
Be so cool
A few years ago I experienced these interludes in live performance of the opera at the NY Met Opera. This captures the moods that permeate the entire drama--menace, sadness, frustration, lamentation--compassion. It stills haunts me.
I was so entralled by these sea scenes that I made my French pupils work on them -- use the adequate vocabulary to convey what they were hearing. The mystery, the quietly rolling waves. Wonderful feelings. Beautiful orchestration and harmonies. Years later, still stirred by this and by Britten's music as a whole __ all of it!
every season has is season in the pale light of the green dim grey valleys , so it's said , an so must be heard till dawn by no means .
😢
Best British Composer. This makes my cry.
Have a listen to Vaughan Williams
An absolutely genius piece and genius performance.
As I write this I am sitting in my room overlooking Aldeburgh beach in February. It is dusk and the sea is very calm and mild. I visited the grave of Britten at the Church of St Peter and St Paul this afternoon. It is a beautiful old church and BB's grave is very well-preserved. These Sea Interludes are so original, evocative and bewitching that I had to visit Aldeburgh to experience the setting that inspired them. My favourite is Moonlight, which evokes the sea and the beach here so powerfully. These Interludes are pure magic.
Is the cover photo here the beach you mention?
Sonya Morrell yes
Chel3SEY, you are exactly the type of person I would love to hang out with. You know how to live, my friend.
met Benjamin Britten a few times and worked on his Midsummer Nights Dream in Suffolk and in London, a wonderful man, gently spoken and to me exuded a peaceful calm presence. Also know his part of Suffolk very well and have been lucky also to experience them in its moody darkness as well in its storms and sunny days. Prefer the stormy though!
Friends married on the beach north of Thorpeness this time last year. A mutual friend suddenly died that day and news came to the wedding. A few years before, the happy couple had suggested we meet on 22 November. My husband read quotes from John F. Kennedy. I read from C.S. Lewis. One of them read from Aldous Huxley because all of the above died on that day in 1963. And because there were four of us and they had yet to invite us to their patch of Suffolk, the final contribution was the four Sea Interludes. Soon after we went to Peter Grimes at the English National Opera.
Came here after hearing this in the Maggi Hambling doc. Had never truly known her or her work, really, but sat through it and bawled, funny and cynical as she was. What a life, and what a place to live. If you need to take take courage for a while, watch it, with whiskey, preferably, and then look at her paintings!
I heard this unique piece over the years but did not know what it is. Britain was a genius to capture the moody atmosphere of the Suffolk coast and turn it into a musical presence. Once heard haunts you for ever. Brilliant!
This has to be one of the most evocative pieces of music ever written.
I can feel the fingers of dawn light piercing the gloom in the cold grey morning air, and layers of clothing against the chill. The smell of the sea; the gentle lapping of wavelets on the sand; its subtle hiss and drag-back whispers; telling tales hidden in the sands: secrets of the past and warnings of things to come. Magical!
I thought it was rather flaccid.
@@arcticflower7223 You’re obviously out of your depth, Becky G is more suited to your intellect.
The riddle of the sands....
One of, if not the most descriptive piece of music by a British composer. Absolutely incredible.
so, so wonderful....achingly beautiful at times
I love how accessible this is. It's the "deceptive simplicity" that makes this so wonderful.
This work appears to stand alone, separate from BB other works, invention and surprise. amazing.
I can't believe I found this. It was my favourite at school and I haven't heard it since.... Its beautiful... Thank you
Used to visit Aldeburgh as a UEA music student in the seventies. It's a magical place. I have walked these shores and this music is wonderfully evocative - and in my own case - now aged 60 - quite nostalgic. Britten's orchestration is masterful. Thanks for posting.
There is something about British music, man, it's so majestic and magical.
The atmosphere generated in this amazing composition sums up the wild coastline of East Anglia. It can be extremely bleak , but powerful at times.
the tension in the beginning is unbelievable strong, the music is so mysterious and different like the wild and stormy wheather of rhe north-sea
Verissimo!!!
Theese Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes means so much to me. My dear beloved grandfather was going to introduce me this opera Peter Grimes yhe summer 1990. But he died in cancer and I had to get to know this music by my self. I LOVE my grandfather!!Thank you for giving me this gift , the classical music! Thank you for posting The Four Sea Interludes! Sabina
Gift that keeps giving ☺️👍
When I first heared this music life at cologne philharmonic, I felt the waves - I'll never forget it.
One of my favorite works by Britten. Marvelous. And check out his "Nocturnal Op 70" for guitar, a true masterpiece: a theme with variations in which he works backwards to end with the theme, John Dowland's "Come, Heavy Sleep."
Suffolk's in my blood, and this music gives me lightning in my veins, especially the section 2:50 - 3:20. Reminds me of the sun "entering the world in smooth, gigantic power".
I'm from Normandy and also really feeling it. It's not the same as being in England but our coast is a mirror of yours, so, pretty close!
Huge emotions are performed with the beginning of the piece. Like sirens dancing while swimming.
Marvelous performance by Paavo Järvi!
I don't regret looking up Britten! This piece is so expressive and smooth to listen to! It sounds very intuitive without being generic or overly simple, and it's so immersive. Everything seems so well balanced. I just love it.
This music was for my homework thanks to those with the helpful comments
When thinking of the political drivel that we're subjected to, music such as this comes as a blessing from the gods..
One of the few things that makes me proud to be from Lowestoft.
Remember going to Walberswick Suffolk years ago birdwatching and seeing the upturned fishing boat houses...so reminiscent of Peter Grimes....
Fantastic score - one of Benjamin Britten s best works : majesty of the sea , Debussy s La Mer also great of course.
Simon Mack callas
and Smetana's Vltava river
Song of the day 30-06-2016: Calm in deep water---"And once the storm is over you won't remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won't even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm you won't be the same person who walked in."---Deep in calm water
Blue Ribbon Manor I was born and raised in Atlantic City New Jersey in the States. The vacationers were there every summer , but when they left in September , I got my ocean and beach back !
Mention should go to Britten's teacher Frank Bridge whose own 'The Sea' proved to be an inspiration here
This man could write music, astonishing creativity. Spellbinding. VW was great but BB amazes.
Read your comment fresh off of hearing Kim Kashkashian play the viola part in Britten's Opus 48, which compelled me to revisit the War Requiem. Britten for the win!
Funny, been listening again a lot to V williams late Symphonies. Apparently composed by an "old" man. Also astonishing. @@BrucknerMotet
Beyond great. Just astounding music.
Estos cuatro interludios marino de la opera Peter Grimes, de B. Britten, aportaron en su día, una novedosa sonoridad a la encorsetada música británica. El segundo movimiento , simula un campanario llamando a los feligreses una mañana de domingo. La última parte "tempestad", nos hace casi ver la furia de las olas en alta mar.
Saw Grimes on the Beach at Aldeburgh this weekend. Fantastic to hear it by the sea.
Beautiful ! Yes, Britten was a genius! I love Peter Grimes, and these sea interludes are also great on their own. Mysterious, poignant , dramatic, powerful, inspirational! Thank you for sharing! Nice picture, too!
breathtaking music!!!!
Sunday Morning is one of the most exciting pieces ever written.
Musique sublime de Benjamin Britten.
I love these.. met BB when Her majesty opened the Maltings for the second time after the fire....
Also met Imogen Holst and Peter Pears..love these interludes so evocative of the East Coast I know from Norfolk down to Suffolk......
What an incredible musician he was....a stalwart of English music.....
I listen to this when I am feeling happy and when I am feeling sad. The waves calm me, the storm excites me, the dawn breaks me and the moonlight illuminates me. I had the pleasure of understudying the role of the apprentice in the 2009 age 14, for the E.N.Os production.
This music was always amazing to me at the time as it occurs whilst the audience just sit and listen calmly, whilst like a machine hundreds of people behind the curtain, moved set pieces like they were mountains, shifting and putting it all into place in just under 20 minutes, from the courtroom of the trial of Peter Grimes into the next scene. It is just incredible and wow.
Moonlight is intoxicating. That main theme feels like coming home.
The fourth interlude just ended, and I just applauded. Alone, in my room, in the States, at 11 at night.
Cringe
Great music and Benjamin Britten is a pure genius
+David Louwerse Er, he was quite accomplished.
he was a genius - it will be many decades still before the full strength of his incredible music is fully realised for what it is - we're talking levels of Sibelius and Brahms - i.e. VERY high levels indeed
agreed, but a different catagory..some do pass easier than others across so called genre boundaries.. ..
I agree with you, but it seems also to me that htese comparisons are a bit out of question. The masters that you indicate have their own sensitivity to bring to us, it is a bit difficult to intercompare them.
It is especially difficult since Britten's genius is obvious in his operas, while nor Sibelius nor Brahms wrote any ......
"I hear those voices that will not be drowned."
Our music teacher Mr Johnson used to make us listen to this; as arsey South London teenagers , we just took the piss, now you can listen to it for its sheer beauty. I now live in Norfolk.
Mr Johnson should have shown these arsey South London teenagers Schnittke
Thanks for the breakdown, Matteo. This is my first meeting with BB. I've heard the music before but, thanks to UA-cam I read the biographical entries and am now listening for the second time. I lived in Escondido and know Dawn, a Sunday morning, the Moonlight and, yes, a Storm on Del Mar beach--in 1957.
such a beautiful haunting piece
for the first time YT recomended me a classic music.awesome!!!!!
Having heard Arvo Pärt's "Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten" I had to hear what Britten has written. I'm not disappointed.
Really fantastic! Imo, Benjamin Britten is the greatest British composer ever!
I wouldn't go THAT far, but he's not so bad.
He's good but not in the same class as RVW.
I agree, nobody sounds like Britten. I like to think he has a much deeper imagination than RVW or Elgar, etc. As a result, his music is way more original and unique.
Vaughan Williams music is lovely and I like it. But imho, Britten's music is much more innovative.
I agree - RVW is in a different league entirely...
when listening to this with eyes closed I actually felt a little seasick, but in a good way. I really feel the waves.
I am familiar with this music from the opera ",Peter Grimes" ....another innovative work from a top notch composer
Terrific! A true Performance of wonderful work !
Impresionante! Cadencia y fuerza al mismo tiempo. Bello
De acuerdísimo! Saludos desde México!
just went to go see LSO play this yesterday with school and i loved it. Awesome job guys :D
I LOVE the timp part for 4th movement. SO much fun, and the subtlety of the other movements sets up really well for the explosion at the end. Beautiful.
The genius of Benjamin Britten
Nope, he was a vile nonce!
Im going to hear the Duluth[mn.] symphony play this saturday night! thanks for posting!
Benjamin Britten est absolument génial...!! Son opéra "Peter Grimes" est fantastique et curieusement peu représenté....
I've just seen this opera, i.e. this very evening. Thanks for uploading and for sharing in other ways.
J’ai l’impression d’avoir accès direct à son âme!
Jamais substance personnelle n’a été plus éloquente!...
November, mid-nineties, 5 am on a Sunday. I'm sitting in the deep window seat in the hotel on the Aldeburgh sea front, arms round my knees, shivering slightly. Behind me my new lover is snoring gently in the four poster bed, and the candle flames are spluttering and drowning in melted wax. In front of me, a huge moon hangs low over a calm sea, creating a wide beaten silver path. I cannot hear the hiss of the waves in the shingle as I'm wearing headphones. And my Walkman (remember those?) is playing 'Dawn' from Britten's Sea Interludes.
The lover was out of my life within six months, without regrets on my part. The magic of that music will never ever fade.
TMI
So beautiful
Favorite Britten if you can find it: Peter Pears--has to be him!!--singing from Peter Grimes the solo "aria" 'Now the Great Bear and Pleiades...' something like that, exact wording escapes me; it's on film. Also last poem of 'Tenor, Horn and Strings'.
Yes - That bit especially, even among all the beautiful things in this score, is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written! The effect of those few however-many bars reminds me of the "Strawberry Woman" song in Porgy & Bess--so short, and yet it's staggering...
Mahler brought me here... loving it
What piece of Mahler exactly? Was it just youtube suggesting you listen to this, or is there some deeper connection? I'm curious. :-)
Sunday morning, so futuristic. love this piece.
wonderful listening....and musical dialogue
I don't care for much of Britten's music but this is an exception - very atmospheric...
This is a DAMN good recording. Bravo. Wow.
Moonlight is utter brilliance
Beautiful music with a fantastic image!
If you like industrial music, an excerpt of this piece was sampled in Pig's song "My Sanctuary".
Gorgeous !!!
Genius, of course - but those first 2 minutes pop up in films and film scores so much because they evoke so much about the unknown - teasing us with glimpses of something.
And because of this great piece of music it was worth to see 'The Machine' ...
いつも寝る前に聞いて癒されます。
Peter Grimes I think is a masterpiece. I was lucky enough to see it performed at Alderburgh. Although I knew the piece well, it was not until I saw the piece that I realised how absent Peter Grimes is from the stage - he is the constant subject of gossip and speculation, an outsider, which leads to his destruction. I thought this was a clever device for demonstrating Grimes' isolation and condemnation without being present.
Totally wonderful!
Haunting.
Wow the Cincinnati Symphony did a great job :D
THE MOST BEATIUL MUSIC
Sixty persons gave this thumbs down. Incomprehensible.
5:48 ... Bells... wow!!!
Thank you Björk and Sir David Attenborough :)
wonderful - thanks
This music is what I hope to hear when I die...
Wonderful, thank you!