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Kreisler String Orchestra \ 226

An album of modern classical works performed by The Kreisler String Orchestra, originally released on CD (FACD 226) by the Factory Classical label in 1989.

The bulk of the album is taken up with two works by Benjamin Britten, namely his Simple Symphony (1933-4) and Variations on a Theme by Frank Bridge (1937). As writer Stuart Huggett notes, the accessibility of the former served as a sensible choice to open the Factory Classical project, its four movements easy enough on the ear for non-classical consumers to engage with. Playful Pizzicato carries a similar bucolic reverie as the theme from The Archers, and Frolicsome Finale that of a 50s Hollywood Western.

The Frank Bridge variations serve to expand new listeners' understanding of the potential of a string orchestra further, running through a range of moods, from frantic to romantic. Separating the Britten works is the intense repetition of Cartoon, a 1984 piece by Serbian composer Zoran Eric, the Kreisler's most challenging but rewarding piece, while the album ends on a gentle farewell with Wir Wandelten from Brahms' Opus 86 of 1884.

226 tracklist:

1-4. Benjamin Britten: Simple Symphony
5. Zoltan Eric: Cartoon
6-16. Benjamin Britten: Frank Bridge Variations
17. Johannes Brahms: Wir Wandelten

Available on digital (MP3 or FLAC). 226 is also available on CD as part of the FBN 276 CD box set. To order any format please select correct shipping option (UK, Europe or Rest of World) and click on Add To Cart button below cover image.

Digital copies are delivered to you by email link.

Reviews:

"Running through a range of moods, from frantic to romantic" (The Quietus, 6/2017)

"Focused largely on Benjamin Britten, 226 is welcomingly romantic, though Zoran Eric's "Cartoon" is more frantically intimidating" (Uncut, 04/2023)