Britten, Stravinsky, Vaughan Williams: Musical Reflections

As compositions, the three works featured on this release echo the intensity, visions, and personal character of the composers. Benjamin Britten’s 1937 work Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge was composed at the request of Boyd Neel. Neel later conducted the premiere at the 1937 Salzburg Festival. The composition, which launched Britten into international acclaim, was dedicated “to F.B. A tribute with affection and admiration. Bridge had been Britten’s teacher beginning in 1927. Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis was composed in 1910 and premiered later that year at the Three Choirs Festival. Many of Vaughan Williams’ compositions are inspired by music of the Renaissance, this piece, however, is the most directly linked. It is based on a theme by Thomas Tallis (1505-1585), one of the most well known Renaissance composers. A ballet in two tableaux, Stravinsky’s Apollon musagete was composed between 1927 and 1928, and choreographed in 1928. The story is based on the Greek legend of Apollo, the God of music, and his visit from the Muses.