The absolute essence of Britten, distilled into 4 generously-filled CDs. The objective is to give an insight into all the genres that Britten’s music covered, to enable a serious newcomer to the composer to discover the great works.
 
Most of these versions are regarded as ‘reference’ recordings against which lesser-interpreters are judged: 
• His orchestral masterpieces The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra and the Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge are presented in Britten’s own revered interpretations
• The vocal masterpiece ‘Serenade for Tenor Horn and Strings’ is offered in the unsurpassed Peter Pears recording with Barry Tuckwell
• The Choir of King’s College Cambridge offers the essential choral masterpieces Ceremony of Carols and A Boy was Born, the early masterpiece from the 19-year-old prodigy
• Newer recordings include Janine Jansen’s lauded and best-selling interpretation of the Violin Concerto.

Contents:
CD 1
- The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, op.34
London Symphony Orchestra / Benjamin Britten
 
- Simple Symphony, Op.4
- Variations on a theme of Frank Bridge, Op.10
English Chamber Orchestra / Benjamin Britten
 
Peter Grimes, Op.33
- Prologue: Interlude I: On the beach
- Act 1: Interlude II: The Storm
- Act 2: Interlude III: Sunday morning by the beach
- Act 3: Interlude V: Evening
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Benjamin Britten
 
Total Playing Time 1:16:29
 
CD 2
- Ceremony of Carols, Op.28
Choir of King's College, Cambridge / Stephen Cleobury
 
- A boy was born, Op.3
Ladies from Cambridge University Choir, Choir of King's College, Cambridge / Stephen Cleobury
 
- A Hymn to the Virgin (1930, rev. 1934)
- Festival Te Deum, Op.32 (1944)
- Jubilate Deo in C (1961)
Choir Of St John's College, Cambridge / George Guest
 
- Hymn to St Cecilia (1942), Op.27
London Symphony Chorus / George Malcolm
 
Total Playing Time 1:13:24
 
CD 3
- Songs from Friday Afternoons, Op.7
Choir of Downside School, Purley / Benjamin Britten
 
- Noye's Fludde, Op.59
Trevor Anthony, Owen Brannigan, David Pinto, Darian Angadi, Stephen Alexander, Caroline Clack, Marie-Therese Pinto, Eileen O'Donovan, Sheila Rex, Patricia Garrod, Margaret Hawes, Kathleen Petch, Gillian Saunders
The Congregation, English Opera Group Orchestra / Norman Del Mar

Total Playing Time 1:06:04
 
CD 4
- Les Illuminations, Op.18
Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra / Benjamin Britten
 
- Serenade for tenor, horn & strings, Op.31
Peter Pears, Barry Tuckwell, London Symphony Orchestra / Benjamin Britten
 
- Violin Concerto, Op.15
Janine Jansen, London Symphony Orchestra / Paavo Järvi
Total Playing Time 1:18:34