Benjamin Britten’s cantata “Saint Nicolas” is something of a rarity on record. Mainly written for amateur musicians but also a small number of professionals, this newest recording attempts to recreate an essence of the work’s original spirit. It lasts over 45 minutes, and is conceived as a community piece, combining elements from Britten’s opera “Noye’s Fludde” and his church canticles. It’s rather dark and colored by Britten’s unique gift of writing something uncharacteristically downbeat for celebratory occasions.
The BBC Concert Orchestra and Crouch End Festival Chorus are joined by conductor David Temple with tenor Mark Le Brocq. The work plays to the strengths of the BBC Concert Orchestra, who are exceptional throughout and are able to create Britten’s vision with precision and security. David Temple’s conducting of the large choral forces is good, while in the orchestral part he emphasizes the stylistic string writing with conviction, especially in the Introduction and “Nicolas from Prison” (track 6). However, because of the marginally slower tempo, Temple lacks the same aggression and austere coldness Britten possess in his own performance.
Le Brocq is well-chosen as soloist. The part, written for Peter Pears, is mostly in the mid-high tessitura, where Britten felt Pears’ voice was strongest. Clearly imitative of Pears while commendably distinctive, Le Brocq has a rich, warm tone and vibrato, and is skilled at changing the characteristics of his voice – listen to the end of the second movement, “The Birth of Nicolas”. His diction is excellent and brings stylistic authority to the role.
The Crouch End Festival Chorus creates a well-balanced sound. Their diction is mostly clear, the lower voices being marginally cleaner. I like the way that, in “He Journeys to Palestine” (track 4), the men of the choir come into their own with power, clarity and unity. The sopranos have a richness and a commendable strength of intonation, noticeably in “Nicolas Comes to Myra” (5). The children’s chorus from Coldfall Primary School, London, are well trained, their intonation is also strong and their tone has a purity which enhances the choral blend when needed.
Related Classical Music Reviews
- Review: Britten – Peter Grimes – Skelton, Wall, Bergen Philharmonic, Gardner
- Review: Britten – Complete String Quartets – Doric String Quartet
- Review: Ethel Smyth – “The Prison” – Burton, Brailey, Experiential Orchestra, Blachly
Britten’s own recording of the work is useful for insight into his vision. The orchestral playing has distinctively cooler hues to the BBC Concert Orchestra, but Britten’s choirs lack the clarity of the Crouch End Festival Chorus. Stephen Layton, Like Temple, is broader than Britten, but his interpretation with tenor Allan Clayton and the Holst Singers is difficult to surpass for its projection, energy and tenacity.
Paired with the Christmas favorite “A Ceremony of Carols”, the album is given a strongly seasonal feel and a pleasing conclusion. This is not an easy piece to perform, written for boy trebles who are divided into three parts and harp. Here the ladies of the Crouch End Festival Chorus are divided into the necessary lines and are admirably secure and eloquent. Seasoned performer of this work, harpist Sally Pryce, proves the model accompanist and soloist.
Recorded in All Saints’ Church, East Finchley, London, the acoustic provides an atmosphere and ambiance, sometimes overly so. Comparably, The Sixteen bring extra polish to the work with adult voices. Two versions recorded with boys in Kings College, Cambridge bring both sophistication and innocence; Sir David Wilcox being the benchmark, while Stephen Cleobury has a cleaner sound image.
Any chorister will appreciate this release for choral sound and blend. Without a doubt, an enjoyable listen and something of an accomplishment, given the fact that there are some remarkable versions in the market for both works.
Britten – Saint Nicolas, A Ceremony of Carols
Crouch End Festival Chorus
BBC Concert Orchestra
David Temple – Conductor
Signum Classics, CD SIGCD649
Recommended Comparisons
Read more classical music reviews or visit The Classic Review Amazon store
Follow Us and Comment:
Get our periodic classical music newsletter with our recent reviews, news and beginners guides.
We respect your privacy.
