Episode 4
Donald Macleod introduces the final song the cycle The Poet's Echo, written for his friend Mstislav Rostropovich and his wife, plus parts of the Cello Suite No 2 and War Requieum.
In September 1960, Britten had the good fortune to meet the Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich who became a close friend and inspiration behind five works for cello, and a song cycle for him and his wife, the singer Galina Vishnevskaya. In the fifth programme, Donald introduces the final song from the cycle - The Poet's Echo - together with part of the Cello Suite No.2, plus an extract from the intensely moving War Requiem and the second of Britten's church parables, The Burning Fiery Furnace.
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Music Played
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Benjamin Britten
Jubilate Deo
Performer: Finzi Singers Performer: Andrew Lumsden (organ) Performer: Director Paul Spicer
- Chandos CHAN 9598.
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Benjamin Britten
Cello Suite no.2 (final mvt)
Performer: Mstislav Rostropovich (cello)
- London 421 859-2.
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Benjamin Britten
War Requiem (extract)
Performer: Galina Vishnevskaya (soprano) Performer: Peter Pears (tenor) Performer: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone)
- Decca 475 751-1.
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Benjamin Britten
The Poet's Echo - Lines written during a sleepless night
Performer: Galina Vishnesvkaya (soprano) Performer: Mstislav Rostropovich (piano)
- Decca 468 811-2.
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Benjamin Britten
Burning Fiery Furnace (extract)
Performer: Nebuchadnezzar Peter Pears Performer: Astrologer Bryan Drake Performer: Ananias John Shirley-Quirk Performer: Misael Robert Tear Performer: Azarias Stafford Dean Performer: English Opera Group
- London 414663-2.
Broadcasts
- Thu 18 Nov 201012:00BBC Radio 3
- Thu 18 Nov 201022:00BBC Radio 3
- Thu 26 Jan 201212:00BBC Radio 3
- Thu 26 Jan 201218:00BBC Radio 3
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