Britten’s “War Requiem“ (American premiere, 1963)

Erich Leinsdorf leads the musical forces in this American premiere of Benjamin Britten’s “War Requiem“. The soloists were Phyllis Curtin, Nicholas di Virgilio, and Tom Krause. They are joined by the Chorus pro Musica and Columbus Boychoir, organist Daniel Pinkham, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. July 27, 1963 in Lenox, Massachusetts. Following the work’s premiere in 1962, Britten wrote to his sister, “I hope it’ll make people think a bit.“ Here is a link to my Phyllis Curtin playlist: And here is a link to my Tom Krause playlist: “My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity... All a poet can do today is warn.“ -- Wilfred Owen