Benjamin Britten: Anatomy of a Masterpiece: Six Metamorphoses after Ovid Op.49 – Study CD

Recently Oboe Classics sent me this unusual but highly interesting CD in a DVD box! This is no ordinary production – in fact is a major scholarly edition that explores one of the most impressive 20th century works for oboe solo. My review for MusicWeb looked at what was in the package – and briefly this was a major 20,000 word essay on the piece and its performance, three full performance of this work – including one by the work’s dedicatee. And finally, the working ‘sketches’ for this composition are presented for the first time.

I concluded my review by wondering whether this particular format was a blueprint for the future – my views on this were better expressed by a friend who said “…that she hoped that Oboe Classics would play a long game: she explained that this CD must be available for many years and not be deleted after the first ‘pressing’ else the scholarly value will be dissipated in a few short months. She felt that it was a major reference document that needs to be regarded as an important contribution to Britten studies. I concur absolutely with her thoughts.”

Metamorphoses – George Caird; Diary Sketch by George Caird. Performances from the Compositions Sketch and Fair Copy by George Caird. Metamorphoses: Joy Boughton; Metamorphoses: Nicholas Daniel

Please read my full review at:- 

Britten Ovid Metamorphoses on Oboe Classics CC2017