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Edward Benjamin Britten
Introduction
For many years, music has been outline as the art of form whose common elements are pitch, melody, rhythm and harmony. Music is an important aspect in many people and pleasant to listen. With this regard, Edward Benjamin Britten is among the most influential people that left a legacy in music. It is a well-documented fact; Britten interest in music is wide-ranging in that, he was a composer, pianist, conductor and an English composer. Studies indicate that, Britten produced music such as orchestral, solo vocal, choral, instrumental and chamber (Latham 26). Additionally, he is most remembered for having remarkable interest in writing music for amateur performers along children. With this regard, this paper seeks to discuss Benjamin Britten through analyzing his biography and the influence he had in music.
Biographical information
It is a well-documented fact; was born on November 22, 1913 and died on December 4, 1976. According to Latham (23), Britten was born in Lowestoft, Suffolk as the youngest among the four siblings. With no doubt; his passion for music began at a tender age in the sense that, he began composing when he was six years and soon afterwards composed steadily until his death. Britten devoted much of his life in music in that; he studied music at Royal College in London whereby, he was taught by the best musicians in England such as John Ireland who was the composer and Arthur Benjamin as pianist. This increased his passion in music to the extent he won several awards for his composition while he was still in college.
Interestingly, before studying music he had composed large quantity of music. In 1935, Britten composed the GPO film unit, for theater groups, BBC Radio and for small groups in London. During that time, he met poet Auden who later gave Britten texts for numerous songs along with scripts that later provided guided Britten to come up with his own music. Latham (37) argue that, many of Britten produced the best music thus; his funs were impressed by his notable work. Most of Britten funs were amateur performers and children among others.
Style characteristics of Benjamin Britten and his output
In facts, Benjamin Britten was an astonishing English composer who was a gifted pianist and conductor. With no doubt; his music portrayed excellence in composing for the GPO film unit and theaters groups in London. Music experts argue that, Britten performance expertise was impressive in addition; the variety of music he composed made him more outstanding in music (Craggs 35). In 1946, he effectively wrote ensemble music instrumental. In conjunction with this, he wrote over one hundred songs that were mainly organized in canticles song cycles. In this regard, he arranged several folk songs which among them were the most popular compositions. Having so much credit in music, he was awarded many awards for giving his funs variations of each section of his orchestra that started with woodwind, string instruments, brass instruments and percussion. These variations of his orchestra reflected music development that he had undergone in his career.
Typically, Britten was an English composer distinguished in his generation. The root of his music was in East Anglia where he spent for thirty years. Its impact led him to write an opera, which as a result, distinct his modern style to appeal in general music public. His music was characterized by a number of aspects such as creativity and adaptation that included songs of diverse origins. He was a brilliant pianist committed to music performance, which was reflected in 1948 during Aldeburgh festival.
His most characteristic expression in music was reflected in his vocal music in a bitter war poem that was sung as the dedication of the reconstruction Coventry in England. Researchers argue that, he demonstrated his sensitivity in text, ground basses and dynamic dissonance along with variation techniques (Craggs 30). Additionally, Craggs argue that, Britten’s instrumental composed during his youth age, displayed the technical brilliance along with colorful orchestration. A notable example of his technical brilliance was found in 1946 where the film based on Purcell theme. With no doubt; Benjamin Britten has influenced music astonishingly to the extent, many have imitated him in his admirable aptness along with depth of the psychological characterization. It is with no doubt; Britten input of composition include is infinitive. Among his work include 6 Orchestras, 9 symphonies, 10 Sonatas, 5 Choral works, 5 folk songs arrangements and numerous of chamber music.
Brief review of Britten CD and Personal reaction
According to Shin (1), the young person’s guide of the Orchestra, Op.34 is the best piece of the composer NY Britten in 1946. In essence, the orchestra instruments are remarkable directed by Mathieson Muir and conducted by Sargent Malcolm. In facts, it is best known piece mostly used in music education along with saint Saens. Surprisingly, the structure of this piece is based on a theme initially played in orchestral, woodwinds, brass, strings and percussion at the end. Music experts argue that, each variation features a particular instrument that moves from high to low in instrumental depth (Shin 1). To make it more interesting, variations are played in a sequence order starting with woodwinds, strings, brass and ends with percussion. After the entire orchestra is taken to pieces, it is then reassembled in an original fugue that starts with piccolo and ends with percussion.
Additionally, Spring Symphony Op 44 outlines enthusiasm performance that attracts many listeners. In conjunction with this, it seems admirable in the sense that, it is represented in tonal works categorized in four movements, the first movement being in sonata form. Based on my point of view, Spring Symphony Op 44 is the best in the sense that, it is presented with enthusiasm. Additionally, the soloists are pretty good making the Britten recording more satisfying
Conclusion
In facts, Edward Benjamin Britten is among the most influential person that left a remarkable legacy in music. As discussed in the paper, his music portrayed excellence in composing, pianist and in conducting. In addition, he was a brilliant pianist committed to music performance reflected in 1948 during Aldeburgh festival (Shin 1). Subsequently, the structure of his music is played in orchestral, woodwinds, brass, strings and percussion. With no doubt; Britten will be remembered in the music industry for his creativity and enthusiasm, which in essence attracts many listeners up to-date. In addition, a notable example of his technical brilliance was found in 1946 where the film based on Purcell theme. In facts, his Britten left a legacy in music. With this regard, this paper has discussed Benjamin Britten through analyzing his biography and the influence he had in music.
Work cited
Craggs, Stewart. Benjamin Britten: a bio-bibliography. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2002. Print
Latham, Alison. The Oxford companion to music. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. Print
Shin, Elizabeth. Innovative Use of Technique in Benjamin Britten’s Cello Works: The Inspiration of Mstislav Rostropovich:
<http://drum.lib.umd.edu/handle/1903/59> 2003
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