Britten's Donne, Hardy and Blake Songs: Cyclic Design and Meaning

This book explores the overarching designs of Benjamin Britten's solo song cycles based on John Donne, Thomas Hardy, and William Blake. It argues that Britten's personal selection and arrangement are essential to understanding these cycles, which represent philosophical explorations. The works are characterized by their cyclic architectures, expressed in their poetic arrangement and musical settings. Motive is used to create aural affinities between songs, and keys convey a network of interconnections. The book also offers a broader narrative revealing Britten's evolving philosophical convictions in post-war Britain.

Format: Hardback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2023
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

This book presents a groundbreaking analytical study that delves into the overarching designs of Benjamin Britten's John Donne, Thomas Hardy, and William Blake solo song cycles. By challenging the conventional notion of these cycles as mere collections of songs, Sly demonstrates that Britten's personal selection and arrangement play a crucial role in understanding these cycles as a cohesive and interconnected entity. Through a meticulous examination of the temporal and thematic connections between the songs, Sly reveals how Britten's artistic choices convey extra-musical communication, enriching our understanding of these cycles.

The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, Winter Words (poems by Hardy), and Songs and Proverbs of William Blake, composed in 1945, 1953, and 1965, respectively, represent philosophical explorations on distinct terrains. While the poets' approaches may differ, they engage in significant and unexpected ways, forming a cyclic architecture that is expressed not only in their poetic arrangement but also in their musical settings.

Key relationships and motives remain central to Britten's compositions. Keys serve as a network of interconnections, creating groupings of songs and establishing levels of tonal affinity or distance. Motive, often intervals that can fit into any melodic, harmonic, or rhythmic context, is employed to establish aural affinities between or among individual songs.

In addition to its analytical insights, this book offers a broader narrative that sheds light on Britten's evolving philosophical convictions in post-war Britain. While it is unlikely that Britten intended any overarching philosophical commentary, the works together paint a poignant portrayal of the cold and brittle state that emerges from loss, aligning with his increasingly stark outlook on humanity.

Through his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to create musical connections that transcend the boundaries of individual songs, Benjamin Britten has left a lasting legacy in the world of classical music. This book serves as a valuable contribution to our understanding of Britten's song cycles and their profound impact on the genre.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783277711