Welcome to Good Morning Britten, a year-long blog that looks to examine all the works of Benjamin Britten in this, the centenary year of his birth.
By doing this the aim is to gain a better understanding of the composer, to celebrate his music and achievements, and to put his work into context with composers that have influenced him, examined through recordings he made as a highly respected pianist and conductor. I’ll be providing Spotify and YouTube links along the way so that you the reader can share the experience as much as possible – and you’ll have every chance to interact with the blog too.
A part of this project is purely self-indulgent, for Britten is one of my favourite composers and a fellow East Anglian, and I am looking to explore more of his work. I know from the outset what a challenge this will be, because not all of his music is easy to get on with.
The plan is to begin by examining Britten’s heritage and schooling, using his own recordings. Then in February the journey through his works will begin, from first note to last, adding reviews of concerts and recordings together with interviews.
Yet this blog will be much more of a success if I can call on your interaction and anecdotes through this ‘Britten 100’ year. Feel free to contribute as much as you like – and I hope you enjoy the voyage!
Good Morning Britten 
Hi as an old Hesse Student who attended the 1967 Aldeburgh Festival I have put together an article with photographs from that time, along a format that you might find suitable for the ‘Good Morning Britten’. It sums up my experiences of the Festival as a youngster. If you feel it might be of interest could you let me have an email address to send it to.
Sorry to be a long time, I’ve been on holiday. What you’ve got sounds extremely interesting, and I’m grateful to you for getting in touch! Please do send it to me at goodmorningbritten@gmail.com. Look forward to talking again soon!
Hi Please find attached my GMB contribution as I described. I see that you have just been over to Alaska and Canada, a bit of a coincidence as we have just returned from Kodiak/Glacier Bay/Ketchikan and Vancouver ourselves. I wonder if it was the same trip you did? Anyway I hope you like my proposed contribution. I look forward to hearing from you. Regards William Woodward
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Hi William – if you’re able to send it to me at goodmorningbritten@gmail.com that would be great! I’ve a feeling we were on similar trips. I did Juneau and Icy Strait Point too so might have been a different boat. Look forward to hearing from you!