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Benjamin Britten

The UK premiere of Britten’s Cello Symphony

1964. Blythburgh Church, Suffolk
UK première performance of Britten's Cello Symphony
Composer Benjamin Britten
Conductor Benjamin Britten
Ensemble English Chamber Orchestra
Instrumentalist Mstislav Rostropovich
Genre Symphonic concert

Britten’s Cello Symphony was premiered in Moscow in March 1964 and was given its first UK performance at that year’s Aldeburgh Festival.  It was written for and dedicated to Mstislav Rostropovich, who performs it here under the baton of Britten.

Benjamin Britten

Symphony for Cello and Orchestra, Op 68

Allegro maestoso

Presto inquieto

Adagio – cadenza ad lib

Passacaglia – andante allegro

This recording is from the collection of Patrick Saul.

  • Mstislav Rostropovich
    Cello
  • English Chamber Orchestra
  • Benjamin Britten
    Conductor

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