Benjamin Britten, British composer and musician
/Throughout the 20th century, many musicians perceived the importance of educating the young about classical music. This effort was not only undertaken in the west but was also given precedence in the Soviet Union. Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev is one of the most notable works seeking to introduce young people to the orchestra and classical music. In the west, several pieces ventured to accomplish this task. One was written by a composer I would like to introduce today, Benjamin Britten.
Britten was born in Suffolk, English in 1913 and became one of the most recognizable composers from England in the 1900s. The composer studied at the Royal College of Music, in London winning several awards and being influenced by composers like John Ireland and Ralph Vaughn Williams. From the 1930s, Britten worked in various roles but always sought to create entertaining music.
Below I highlight three works to help you encounter the composer and his music. First is “A Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.” Britten composed this work in 1945 for an educational film titled “Instruments of the Orchestra.” It uses a melody composed by 1600s English composer, Henry Purcell, and this is one of his most widely recognized works.
Second, I’ve included in the playlist (be sure to follow for updates) the “Storm” from the Four Sea Interludes from Britten’s opera, Peter Grimes.” The opera is the story of a fisherman in Suffolk, England, and his toils in life. I have also included the instrumental Passacaglia from the interlude, which is frequently performed by itself.
Third, I have included his Hymn to St. Cecilia. There are many reasons for him to compose this work. First, Cecilia is the patron saint of music. Second, Benjamin Britten was born on St. Cecilia’s feast day. Third, there was a rich history of English composers writing odes to St. Cecilia, Notably, Henry Purcell, and George Frideric Handel. An interesting fact about this work is that Britten was traveling between America and England in 1942, the middle of World War II, and his unfinished manuscripts were confiscated by officials, thinking they might contain code from the Germans. He managed to rewrite the work, and it premiered later the same year.