Thread: Benjamin Britten

I'd just like to say thank you for all the wonderful music. I'm sorry that your personal life has been so widely analyzed since your passing: I'm sure you would have been mortified. (I'm still waiting for the book on "Benjamin Britten: middle-class Englishman" -- that was far more a part of your self-identity than "Benjamin Britten, homosexual" and, IMO, goes further toward explaining many of your greatest works. But of course that wouldn't be nearly so sensational.

Oh, and never mind what anyone else says -- Peter had a marvelous voice.

War requiem, Ceremony of carols, Rejoice in the lamb, missa brevis in D, four sea interludes, the operas.. I could go on for hours. They are all wonderful.

Nothing beats Les Illuminations, Serenade for tenor, horn and strings and Nocturne.
Well, perhaps the War Requiem... Bridge Variations also rock!
I'd love to hear Peter Grimes, too.

Lachrymae (Reflections on a Song by Dowland) is a great piece and an important work in the repertoire for viola.

His word setting is absolutely second to none. Even if you don't like his music his orchestration is unbelievable, absolutely astounding.

Great everything composer really.

How about the Cello sonata, with Rostropovich?

The only composer I have come across who can knock Prokoviev into second place when it come to producing "spiky" music (?).
As for the War Requiem, from someone who couldn't get out of this country fast enough at the start of WW2, what hypocrisy.

Originally Posted by Mayerl

As for the War Requiem, from someone who couldn't get out of this country fast enough at the start of WW2, what hypocrisy.

You mean his USA OE?? To quote a well known joker, Let him who is without sin cast the first stone, or something like that, I may have it wrong?