Elisabeth Söderström, Gilbert Levine, English Chamber Orchestra - Britten: Les Illuminations, Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Simple Symphony (2009)

Elisabeth Söderström made this recording in 1989 toward the end of the best years of her long career and fortunate we are that she consented to record this song cycle of Benjamin Britten that had long been a staple in her wide repertoire. The recording here is surprisingly fresh and if the pitches are not always true nor the glissando as magical as it once was, the involvement with the poetry of Rimbaud is up there with the best of performers. It is sensuous and involved and she brings her own mystery to the texts. Gilbert Levine conducts the English Chamber Orchestra with inordinate sensitivity to the singer.
The other joys of this rather obscure album are very fine recordings of Britten's gorgeous 'Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge' Opus 10 and the very early and not at all simple 'Simple Symphony' Opus 4. Gilbert makes these works ring with clarity and allows us to appreciate the daring early advances Britten was making on the musical scene in the 20th Century. The English Chamber Orchestra must be able to perform these works in their sleep but they remain acutely aware of the elegant nuances Levine coaxes from them. Highly recommended.