Monthly Archives: April 2013

Listening to Britten – Elegy for solo viola

Posted on April 24, 2013 by goodmorningbritten

(c) Brian Hogwood Elegy for solo viola (1 August 1930, Britten aged 16) Dedication not known Duration 7′ Background and Critical Reception The Elegy appears not to have been given a title by Britten when it was composed, one day … Continue reading →

Posted in Chamber music, Listening to Britten, Solo instrument | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Listening to Britten – the early teens at Gresham’s

Posted on April 21, 2013 by goodmorningbritten

Gresham’s School, Holt The second part of the Britten listening project has seen the composer spread his wings stylistically and personally, as he moves into his teens and leaves home. There are still strong musical references to his favourite composers … Continue reading →

Posted in Listening to Britten, Summaries | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Listening to Britten – A Hymn to the Virgin

Posted on April 21, 2013 by goodmorningbritten

Detail of window, Wimborne Minster ((c) Ben Hogwood) A Hymn To The Virgin – anthem for mixed voices (SATB double chorus), unaccompanied (9 July 1930, Britten aged 16) Dedication Not known Text Anon Language English Duration 3’00” Background and Critical … Continue reading →

Posted in Choral, Listening to Britten, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Britten at the BBC Proms

Posted on April 18, 2013 by goodmorningbritten

(C) BBC, 2013 This is a big Proms year for Britten, and the very fact that in my interview with Roger Wright on this blog he was not able to reveal plans for the festival’s Britten centenary celebrations says much … Continue reading →

Posted in BBC Proms, News, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Listening to Britten – Quartettino for string quartet

Posted on April 17, 2013 by goodmorningbritten

(c) Brian Hogwood Quartettino (3 January – 17 April 1930, Britten aged 16) 1 Andante 2 Poco adagio ma con moto 3 Allegro molto vivace Dedication not known Duration 17′ Background and Critical Reception Paul Kildea goes to some length … Continue reading →

Posted in Chamber music, Listening to Britten, String Quartet, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Listening to Britten – Reflection for viola and piano

Posted on April 15, 2013 by goodmorningbritten

(c) Ben Hogwood Reflection for viola and piano (11 – 12 April 1930, Britten aged 16) Background and Critical Reception First performed in 1995, the Reflection was written when Britten was 16 and still at Gresham’s. His technical command of … Continue reading →

Posted in Chamber music, Listening to Britten | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Britten through the eyes of…Colin Matthews

Posted on April 14, 2013 by goodmorningbritten

The composer Colin Matthews worked as Benjamin Britten’s assistant in the final years of his life, and also worked with Deryck Cooke on his painstaking completion of Mahler’s Tenth Symphony. He has completed and / or orchestrated a number of … Continue reading →

Posted in Britten through the eyes of... | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Listening to Britten – A Little Idyll

Posted on April 13, 2013 by goodmorningbritten

(c) Ben Hogwood A Little Idyll for piano (20 February – 8 March 1930, Britten aged 16) Dedication not known Duration 2’30” Background and Critical Reception Anthony Goldstone writes in the booklet notes for his CD about a piece that … Continue reading →

Posted in Listening to Britten, Piano | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Listening to Britten – Oh Why Did E’er My Thoughts Aspire

Posted on April 12, 2013 by goodmorningbritten

(c) Ben Hogwood Oh Why Did E’er My Thoughts Aspire – song for voice and piano (4 January 1930, Britten aged 16) Dedication not known Text Colonel Edward Sackville Language English Duration 1’30” Background and Critical Reception Very little is … Continue reading →

Posted in English, Listening to Britten, Songs, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Listening to Britten – Untitled fragment for strings

Posted on April 11, 2013 by goodmorningbritten

Photo (c) Ben Hogwood Untitled fragment for strings (1930, Britten aged 16) Dedication not known Duration 2’30” Background and Critical Reception As Britten falls more under the influence of Frank Bridge, so his music becomes more questing and experimental. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Chamber or string orchestra, Listening to Britten, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment