Schubert – Winterreise – Britten DVD – Benjamin Britten , Peter Pears

This DVD is part of the Britten-Pears DVD Collection. This collection features four historically and musically significant films from the BBC archives of works and performances by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears one of the greatest English tenors and Brittens long-term partner and artistic inspiration. None of these films have been available before on any home video format. Two recitals with Peter Pears accompanied by Benjamin Britten at the piano. The 1964 black-and-white “”Celebrity Recital”” film of the pair performing a selection of Britten’s folk song arrangements is unique for featuring Britten performing his own music. The 1970 colour film of Peter Pears singing Schubert’s great song cycle Winterreise (sung in German) was produced by the legendary Decca producer John Culshaw. The songs are staged (Britten accompanying on the piano is not in view) and introduced with a brief voice-over.