Centenary of the birth of Benjamin Britten

Valchiria wrote:

To me, he has always seemed like a somewhat mistreated composer but with great value.

Another victim of Darmstadt

I agree. Britten is an author who should undoubtedly be known more. In this regard, I propose a piece that I personally adore. It is «Les Illuminations» op. 18, for high voice and string orchestra, on texts by Arthur Rimbaud. Here is a live version from 1966, sung by Peter Pears and conducted by Colin Davis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdRxkR16wls

Open content (youtube)

Tiger wrote:

Another victim of Darmstadt

As Alex Ross tells in "The Rest Is Noise", Nono even refused to shake his hand... the avant-garde was very Taliban towards tradition ...

Rome will surely go all out

http://www.teatrionl...lopera-di-roma/

Ballet, Opera

Verdi, Wagner and Britten: here is the new 2012-2013 season of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma

The new season of the Roman theater has been presented: 14 shows on the program, including seven new productions

Etc. etc.

The discussion about new productions could be interesting, I didn't understand which ones ... but still...

fortunately it has always been a public success (at least that). And it practically created the English operatic production system, which is no small feat.

And here is one of my favorite pieces, Queen Elizabeth I's soliloquy and prayer from "Gloriana", a little-known opera by Britten. Simple and immediate.

Open content (youtube)

Ignorant question, did Britten write anything for piano?

nothing famous. I have never listened to anything of his for piano, for the occasion I searched for this nocturne "Night-Piece" which should be his most famous composition for piano

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YowGc6YFr0k

There is also a concerto for piano and orchestra

Open content (youtube)

Peace to the soul of our friend Nono, I would like to propose this listening

Britten String Quartet No. 3, Op. 94: I. Duets: With moderate movement

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR00rQDB6Sk

Tiger wrote:

Another victim of Darmstadt

It seems evident to me that Britten is a musician who was not insensitive to the avant-garde, as everyone in the 20th century dedicated themselves to interrupting the narrative course. A process that clearly began with Webern and was radicalized by the composers who followed.

Britten does this, despite a language strongly tied to tonality, through suspension ... he even manages to use a total chromatic in this piece by means of a dodecaphonic series. The interesting thing is that he doesn't even develop it afterwards.

From my point of view, his is nonetheless a modern language and can/must be a reference for those who would still like to express themselves in a more traditional context.

Open content (youtube)

After all, it is a deeply felt theme, I am happy

Britten: Boogie-woogie - YouTube

He even ventured into some jazz worlds, although I find this piece a bit boring (I wouldn't say useless) ... it often happens with those classical composers who vaguely refer to jazz... except for only a few exceptions (see Gershwin and the Shostakovich/Kubrick waltz)

Open content (youtube)

I didn't know Jazz Mania, I didn't dislike it