Les Illuminations / Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge / Serenade for Tenor, Horn & Strings, Op.31

This CD brings together three youthful masterworks all composed by Benjamin Britten before his 30th birthday within the space of a mere six years. Individually and collectively they demonstrate a fertile musical imagination of a high order combined with astonishing technical skills.

The BT Scottish Ensemble is a dynamic group of twelve string players directed from the violin by its outstanding Artistic Director, Clio Gould.

Originally formed in 1969 as the Scottish Baroque Ensemble by the violinist Leonard Friedman, the Ensemble's extensive repertoire spans from the Baroque to the present day and, under Clio Gould's direction, the group enjoys a burgeoning programme of commissions. The Ensemble has given numerous world premiere performances and commissioned works by many British composers including Craig Armstrong, Sally Beamish, D C Heath, Piers Hellawell, John Tavener and Judith Weir. The established master-pieces for strings also feature regularly in the Ensemble's programmes including the works of Mendelssohn, Grieg, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, Britten and Elgar.

The Ensemble maintains a busy schedule of concerts throughout Scotland and the UK, performing regular concert series in London and the main Scottish cities. The Ensemble has toured Europe and the Americas, as well as nearer home in the Highlands of Scotland and the Hebrides Islands. Among the many distinguished soloists with whom the Ensemble has performed are Barbara Bonney, Barry Douglas, Yehudi Menuhin, Patricia Rozario and John Wallace.

In addition to its concert work, the BT Scottish Ensemble also undertakes a varied recording and broadcasting programme including radio, television and film work. In 1994 the BBC commission Seven Last Words from the Cross by the renowned Scottish composer, James MacMillan, was first performed and broadcast on BBC Television by Ensemble with the choir Cappella Nova. The Ensemble featured in the award-winning film of Follow the Moonstone, following the album of the same name, in which the work of the Norwegian composer, Henning Sommero, was the vehicle for a collaboration with the acclaimed Shetland fiddle player, Aly Bain.