Benjamin Britten in Context

Benjamin Britten was a pivotal figure in mid-twentieth-century Britain, composing a wide range of music from operas to quartets. This book explores his career, relationships, and contributions to British musical life, highlighting the opportunities and challenges of post-war British musical life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 426 pages
Publication date: 21 April 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Benjamin Britten, a multifaceted musician, conductor, educator, and composer, holds a significant place in mid-twentieth-century Britain. This comprehensive volume delves into the various contexts that shaped his remarkable career, encompassing his interactions with fellow musicians, artists, writers, and filmmakers, as well as his involvement with British musical institutions, royal and governmental bodies, the church, and groundbreaking projects. The book is organized into five thematic sections: exploring Britten's relationships with Peter Pears, his close friends, mentors, and colleagues; examining the musical landscape of Britain during his time; engaging with past and contemporary composers; collaborating with choreographers, librettists, stage designers, and directors; and examining the socio-cultural, religious, and political environment that influenced his creative output. Through the chapters, readers gain insight into the opportunities and challenges faced by post-war British musical life, which profoundly shaped Britten's artistic journey.
Benjamin Britten, a pianist, conductor, educator, and composer, emerged as a pivotal figure in mid-twentieth-century Britain. His diverse musical repertoire, ranging from large-scale operas and choral works to string quartets and songs, showcased his exceptional talent. This comprehensive volume explores the various contexts that shaped Britten's multifaceted career, encompassing his interactions with fellow musicians, artists, writers, and filmmakers, as well as his involvement with British musical institutions, royal and governmental bodies, the church, and groundbreaking projects. The book is organized into five thematic sections: examining Britten's relationships with Peter Pears, his close friends, mentors, and colleagues; delving into the musical landscape of Britain during his time; engaging with past and contemporary composers; collaborating with choreographers, librettists, stage designers, and directors; and examining the socio-cultural, religious, and political environment that influenced his creative output. Through the chapters, readers gain insight into the opportunities and challenges faced by post-war British musical life, which profoundly shaped Britten's artistic journey.

Benjamin Britten, a pianist, conductor, educator, and composer, holds a significant place in mid-twentieth-century Britain. His diverse musical repertoire, ranging from large-scale operas and choral works to string quartets and songs, showcased his exceptional talent. This comprehensive volume explores the various contexts that shaped Britten's multifaceted career, encompassing his interactions with fellow musicians, artists, writers, and filmmakers, as well as his involvement with British musical institutions, royal and governmental bodies, the church, and groundbreaking projects. The book is organized into five thematic sections: examining Britten's relationships with Peter Pears, his close friends, mentors, and colleagues; delving into the musical landscape of Britain during his time; engaging with past and contemporary composers; collaborating with choreographers, librettists, stage designers, and directors; and examining the socio-cultural, religious, and political environment that influenced his creative output. Through the chapters, readers gain insight into the opportunities and challenges faced by post-war British musical life, which profoundly shaped Britten's artistic journey.

Weight: 804g
Dimension: 160 x 235 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108496698