The Complete Works

Limited edition of 3000 copies. The 65 CDs and one DVD are packaged in a handsome box. A 208-page, full-colour, hardback book is included, featuring essays by Decca's Paul Moseley and Philip Stuart, full of discographical material which will be of real interest to record collectors (how many people know that at one point Britten favoured a recording of Peter Grimes conducted by Rafael Kubelík?), as will the photos of Decca's original LP sleeves. When Britten was 50, Decca presented him with an unexpected birthday present. During rehearsals for the recording of the War Requiem the microphones were left running and an edited version was produced as a unique LP. Britten was said to have been annoyed at first, though he later relented and sent John Culshaw a letter of thanks. The original LP, with the catalogue number BB50, is on display in the new exhibition area at the Red House, Britten's home in Aldeburgh. A photo of the letter is included in the substantial book that comes with this new release. The extras include a disc of (very heavily edited) newly-made interviews, a DVD about recording The Burning Fiery Furnace, and – yes – that 50th-birthday special of the War Requiem in rehearsal. DVD: Picture Format: NTSC 16x9 Format: DVD-5 Time: 55 mins. Color Mode: Black-White Region Code: 0 (All) Language And Audio Content: English / Dolby Digital 2.0 Subtitles: No Editor's Note: Used the | character to separate parts or acts that ordinarily call for a Header, but is not used here, to keep complete works under a single Index Track. 61 discs also released in separate box sets: (20 discs) (12 discs) (16 discs) (13 discs)