Special offer. Britten: My Beloved is Mine
Song cycles by Benjamin Britten
James Gilchrist (tenor) & Anna Tilbrook (piano)
Gilchrist is as agile as his pianist and evidently attuned to the importance of her role...the mystic union of ground-bass piano with confident vocal line in the concluding 'Death, be not proud'...
Special offer. Britten: My Beloved is Mine
Song cycles by Benjamin Britten
James Gilchrist (tenor) & Anna Tilbrook (piano)
Purchase product
Gilchrist is as agile as his pianist and evidently attuned to the importance of her role...the mystic union of ground-bass piano with confident vocal line in the concluding 'Death, be not proud'...
About
The greatly sought-after tenor, James Gilchrist, continues his highly acclaimed exploration of British song with his new recording of Benjamin Britten works.
His 2010 recording of Leighton Earth, Sweet Earth…(laudes terrae) and Britten Winter Words was called ‘outstandingly accomplished’ by Gramophone.
‘On This Island’ is strikingly fresh and Gilchrist sings these beautiful poems with a graceful insight.
Contrasting this opening set, Gilchrist gives a moving and heartfelt performance of Britten’s dark and profound song cycle ‘The Holy Sonnets of John Donne’.
My Beloved is Mine ends with what Peter Pears called ‘Britten’s finest piece of vocal music to date’; a psalm-like poem with energetically evolving rhythms and beautiful harmonies.
James Gilchrist has appeared with many of the world’s prestigious ensembles and under several leading conductors; he recently performed with Retrospect Ensemble for their recording with Linn Records, J. S. Bach Easter & Ascension Oratorios.
James is sought after for operatic roles, ensemble performances and as a respected recitalist.
Anna Tilbrook is one of Britain's most exciting pianists, with a considerable reputation in song recitals and chamber music. She made her debut at Wigmore Hall in 1999 and has since become a regular performer at Europe’s major concert halls and festivals.
Contents and tracklist
Awards and reviews
November 2012
Gilchrist is as agile as his pianist and evidently attuned to the importance of her role...the mystic union of ground-bass piano with confident vocal line in the concluding 'Death, be not proud' set this interpretation of The Holy Sonnets on a footing with that of tenor Peter Pears and Britten...It's in the most introspective moments...the simple-seeming 'Nocturne' in On This Island, for instance...that Gilchrist's unique artistry is heard to best advantage.
Awards Issue 2012
Gilchrist, well matched by by Anna Tilbrook's clean-cut playing, offers gentle sensitivity and words that are crystal clear...Well recorded, with a duo that is perfectly matched, this recital has its virtues. Even so, my preference is for a singer with richer vocal resources.
January 2013
everything about it emanates thoughtfulness, intelligence and good design...His enunciation is superb throughout...[The Holy Sonnets] are given robust performances. These are full of passion and commitment, and are superbly communicated.
5th August 2012
Gilchrist is a greatly sensitive interpreter, his tone liquid yet urgent, his diction immaculate and august, his choices admirable.
2nd August 2012
His immaculate diction – in Italian as well as English – is more than ample compensation for a slight feeling that sometimes the vocal lines are treated with just a little too much respect...But Gilchrist's restraint also proves to be the perfect counterpart to Tilbrook's piano playing, which relishes every bit of the athleticism that Britten built into accompaniments that he wrote to play himself.
