Composer: Benjamin Britten
Orchestra: Hallé Orchestra
Conductor: Kahchun Wong
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Hallé
Catalogue: CDHLD7565
Release: 2024
Size: 1.1 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
The Prince of the Pagodas
CD 01
01. Prelude
Act 1
02. Scene
03. March
04. Entry of the Pages
05. Variation of the King of the North
06. Variation of the King of the East
07. Variation of the King of the West
08. Variation of the King of the South
09. Variation of the Princess Belle Épine
10. Variation of Princess Belle Rose and Pas de Deux
11. The Kings kneel before Belle Rose
12. The rage of the Kings
13. Four green frogs with huge wings enter, bearing a large emerald casket
Act 2
14. Scene 1. The Strange Journey of Belle Rose to the Pagoda Land
15. Waltz
16. Belle Rose, wearing her Star dress, is borne in by the Frogs
17. Entrée. Sea horses, Fish creatures and Waves
18. Variation. Sea horses
19. Variation. Fish creatures
20. Coda. Sea horses, Fish creatures and Waves
21. Pas de Deux. Male and Female Flame
22. Variation. Male Flame
23. Variation. Female Flame
24. Male and Female Flames and Corps de Ballet of Flames
CD 02
Act 2
01. Scene 2. The Arrival and Adventures of Belle Rose in the Kingdom of the Pagodas
02. The Pagodas revolve like merry-go-rounds
03. Pas de Deux. The Prince and Belle Rose
Act 3
04. The Palace of the Middle Kingdom. Belle Épine is now princess
05. Belle Épine and the Dwarf frighten the Courtiers
06. The Emperor is carried on in a cage
07. Scene 2. The Pagoda Palace
08. Pas de Six. Entrée
09. Variation 1. Pas de Deux
10. Variation 2. Girl’s solo
11. Variation 3. Boy’s solo
12. Pas de Trois
13. Coda
14. Pas de Caractère. The Emperor and the Fool
15. Pas de Deux. Belle Rose and the Prince of the Pagodas
16. Variation 2. The Prince
17. Variation. Belle Rose
18. Finale
19. Boys of the Pas de Six
20. The Emperor and the Fool
21. Girls of the Pas de Six
22. The Prince of the Pagodas
23. Belle Rose
24. Apotheosis
This album marks the beginning of an innovative journey for the Hallé under its newly appointed Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Kahchun Wong. Internationally acclaimed for his dynamic stage presence and his thoughtful exploration of Eastern and Western artistic legacies, Singaporean-born Kahchun Wong assumes his new role with the Hallé in September 2024, following his electrifying debut with the orchestra last season. This recording of the complete The Prince of the Pagodas ballet, the first in over a decade, reflects Wong’s interest in Balinese Gamelan and the deep connection he made during his composition studies to the work of Britten. Music which he says, ‘resonates deeply inside me’. Wong’s interpretation reflects his interest in diverse folk traditions and is further enhanced through musicological detail, as a result of time spent at the Britten Pears library with Britten specialist, Composer Emeritus of the Hallé, Colin Matthews. This collaboration resulted in a new Prince of the Pagodas Suite, with selections made by Wong and Matthews. This will be premiered in Wong’s inaugural concert as Principal Conductor, in The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester on 26th September 2024. The ballet’s fantastical story – of jealousy, magic and love – is colourfully depicted in Britten’s masterly score which is presented in this recording by the Hallé musicians at the very top of their game. The release is accompanied by an authoritative programme note by Britten scholar Philip Reed.