Benjamin Britten The Complete Works for Oboe ALEXEI UTKIN / HERMITAGE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA CM 0102004 Hybrid SACD more info [page will open in new window]

HYBRID

Six Metamorphoses after Ovid, op. 49 (1951) for oboe solo. Dedicated to Joy Boughton 1 Pan, who played upon the reed pipe which was Syrinx, his beloved [2:20] 2 Phaeton, who made upon the chariot of the sun for one day and was hurled into the river Padus by a thunderbolt [1:13] 3 Niobe, who, lamenting the death of her fourteen children, was turned into a mountain [2:35] 4 Bacchus, at whose feast is heard the noise of gaggling women’s tattling tongues and shouting out of boys [2:30] 5 Narcissus, who fell in love with his own image and became a flower [3:40] 6 Arethusa, who, flying from the love of Alpheus the river god, was turned into a fountain [2:25] 7 Phantasy Quartet, op. 2 (1932) for oboe, violin, viola and cello. Dedicated to Leon Goossens [12:35] Insect Pieces, op. posth. (1935) Arranged for oboe and string orchestra by Leonid Hoffman 8 The Grasshoper [3:22] 9 The Wasp [1:52] Temporal Variations, op. posth. (1936). Arranged for oboe and string orchestra by Viktor Kozodov and Alexei Utkin. Dedicated to Montagu Slater 10 Theme. Andante rubato [1:32] 11 Oration. Lento quasi recitativo [1:41] 12 March. Alla marcia [1:16] 13 Exercises. Allegro molto e con fuoco [1:02] 14 Commination. Adagio con fuoco [1:28] 15 Chorale. Molto lento [1:57] 16 Waltz. Allegretto rubato [1:16] 17 Polka. Tempo di Polka. Allegro [1:37] 18 Resolution. Maestoso (ma non troppo lento) [1:46] Total time [46:39]

Press Review: This SACD from Caro Mitis is a somewhat different departure from their normal release of music from well known composers like Mozart and Bach to unknown composers like Wölfl and Rebel. Britten certainly falls into the well known category, but this music is some more of his less known material. In fact, the only selection on this recording that is actually familiar to me is the "Six Metamorphoses after Ovid". My first encounter with this particular composition was years ago while living in Ohio. I heard a CD of this piece played by the superb principal oboe of the Cleveland Orchestra, John Mack. For years I searched for that recording to no avail. Alexi Utkin's playing, like on his other Caro Mitis SACDs, is stunning. I have heard few oboists who demonstrate such a total mastery of what is perhaps the most fiendish instrument, while having such a warm and pleasing sound. This selection alone makes this SACD a winner. The other selections are very enjoyable as well. The Phantasy Quartet (written when he was only 19) already shows Britten's mastery of composition. Whereas many people equate Britten's homosexuality to the content of his music (I hate to mention this but his struggle with his sexuality does dominate much of his music, especially his operas "Billy Bud" and "Peter Grimes"). However, the interesting "Insect Pieces" really represent nothing more than witty musical illustrations of bugs, and the music is very clever indeed! The final composition "Temporal Variations" is a composition that IS laden with meaning. I am not going to go into this here, so you will have to buy this recording to learn more. SORRY!! Originally arranged for Oboe and Piano, Mr. Utkin and another person (Viktor Kozodov) arranged this for string orchestra. Once again, this is typical Britten...masterful, enjoyable, and a treat to listen to. I will eventually sound like a broken record when I review future Caro Mitis SACDs. Let's face it, these SACDs are some of the BEST SOUNDING RECORDINGS available!!! The Polyhymnia team has definitely got their ducks in a row when the record the various Caro Mitis artists. HIGHLY recommended!!!! Copyright © 2006 Mark Wagner and SA-CD.net Liner Notes [page will open in new window] MA Recordings will soon be discontinuing the sale of Caro Mitis, the Hybrid SACD classical label from Russia. All recordings produced by Caro Mitis (translated from the Latin as "Succulent Fruit") are pure multi-channel DSD productions, most of them recorded in the revered studios of The Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (RTR) in Moscow. Caro Mitis' policy is to present state-of-art performances of classical works by outstanding Russian & European musicians, ensembles & orchestras. The catalog contains a number of World Premiere Recordings, particularly of early music. Caro Mitis fundamentals are: • recording and postproduction by Polyhymnia International B.V. from Holland, the leader in the SACD format that also works with Harmonia Mundi, Pentatone and others. • manufacturing of all titles as hybrid SACDs (thus allowing listeners to play the disks on regular CD-players as well as SACD players) at SONY DADC (Austria); • unique designs for each disk (created by Kosta Gusalov - one of the leading Russian graphic artists) based on the use of national historical engravings • multi-lingual booklets and inlays with extensive illustrated information • a long-term recording program with a number of World Premiere Recordings every year.