Benjamin Britten BRITTEN ON FILM Simon Russell Beale narrator • Mary Carewe soprano Birmingham Contemporary Music Group City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus Choir of King Edwards' Boys School, Birmingham • Martyn Brabbins conductor NMC D112 • The first ever comprehensive collection of music written by Britten, working with WH Auden, for 1930's information films made by the GPO Film Unit and others. • Shorter works which use well-known tunes such as the cabaret song When you’re feeling like expressing your affection, the ballad Around the Village Green and an unashamedly slushy setting of the Victorian favourite I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls. • Includes music from the longer films; Night Mail (including the famous Auden poem), The King’s Stamp and The Way to the Sea. • Supported by the Britten Estate, this recording is historically important and features a comprehensive booklet with photographs and film stills. • The scores for this recording were specially reconstructed from manuscript and other sources held at the Britten-Pears Library, by composers Joseph Phibbs and Lloyd Moore under the supervision of Colin Matthews, Executive Producer of NMC and Director of the Britten-Pears Estate. • The disc features a new performing edition of The Way to the Sea along with a premiere recording of Coal Face and the first recording of the complete music to Night Mail. • Features Simon Russell Beale as narrator, who is well known for his role of King Arthur in Monty Python’s award winning show, Spamalot. Coal Face (first recording) Night Mail (first complete recording) The Way to The Sea Negroes Peace of Britain The Tocher (Rossini Suite) Telegrams The King’s Stamp Men Behind The Meters When you're feeling like expressing your affection NMC Recordings are distributed in Australia by Rockian Trading, P.O.Box 44, Briar Hill, Vic, 3088, Australia Telephone (03) 9432 4149 ~ Facsimile (03) 9444 6879