Benjamin Britten

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Music, Theory & Criticism, History & Criticism, Biography & Memoir, Entertainment & Performing Arts
Cover of the book Benjamin Britten by Igor Toronyi-Lalic, Penguin Books Ltd
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Igor Toronyi-Lalic ISBN: 9780241967584
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd Publication: November 1, 2013
Imprint: Penguin Language: English
Author: Igor Toronyi-Lalic
ISBN: 9780241967584
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Publication: November 1, 2013
Imprint: Penguin
Language: English

Benjamin Britten was one of the most important and unusual figures in twentieth-century music. This is the perfect introduction to his many wonderful works and his fascinating, controversial life.

Benjamin Britten single-handedly transformed the reputation of British classical music. The enormous popular appeal of his great works, such as Peter Grimes (1945) and the Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (1946), make him the most successful opera composer of any born in the twentieth century. But his success was not without controversy and pain: he was accused of fleeing Britain to avoid military service, he was widely known to be sexually obsessed with boys and he suffered an astonishing array of illnesses.

This short book combines a colourful overview of his life with pithy descriptions of all of his major musical works, providing an intimate portrait of this highly unusual man and a persuasive account of his influences, reputation and importance.

Each chapter tackles a key episode and theme in his life, from his first compositions at the age of 5, his early friendship and collaboration with W H Auden and the beginnings of his life-long relationship with the tenor Peter Pears, through to his great musical successes and the establishment of the influential, if tempestuous, Aldeburgh Festival, as well as his failures, such as his coronation opera Gloriana (known as 'Boriana') and being satirised by Dudley Moore in Beyond the Fringe - and ending with frank discussions of his naïve politics, his troubling sexuality and his glorious musical legacy.

Published to coincide with his 100th anniversary of his birth, this is the perfect introduction to a towering figure of British culture.

Igor Toronyi-Lalic is a critic and curator. He writes regularly on music for, among others, The Times and Sunday Telegraph. He is a founder of theartsdesk.com, the author of What's That Thing? (2012), a report on public art, and co-director of the London Contemporary Music Festival.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Benjamin Britten was one of the most important and unusual figures in twentieth-century music. This is the perfect introduction to his many wonderful works and his fascinating, controversial life.

Benjamin Britten single-handedly transformed the reputation of British classical music. The enormous popular appeal of his great works, such as Peter Grimes (1945) and the Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (1946), make him the most successful opera composer of any born in the twentieth century. But his success was not without controversy and pain: he was accused of fleeing Britain to avoid military service, he was widely known to be sexually obsessed with boys and he suffered an astonishing array of illnesses.

This short book combines a colourful overview of his life with pithy descriptions of all of his major musical works, providing an intimate portrait of this highly unusual man and a persuasive account of his influences, reputation and importance.

Each chapter tackles a key episode and theme in his life, from his first compositions at the age of 5, his early friendship and collaboration with W H Auden and the beginnings of his life-long relationship with the tenor Peter Pears, through to his great musical successes and the establishment of the influential, if tempestuous, Aldeburgh Festival, as well as his failures, such as his coronation opera Gloriana (known as 'Boriana') and being satirised by Dudley Moore in Beyond the Fringe - and ending with frank discussions of his naïve politics, his troubling sexuality and his glorious musical legacy.

Published to coincide with his 100th anniversary of his birth, this is the perfect introduction to a towering figure of British culture.

Igor Toronyi-Lalic is a critic and curator. He writes regularly on music for, among others, The Times and Sunday Telegraph. He is a founder of theartsdesk.com, the author of What's That Thing? (2012), a report on public art, and co-director of the London Contemporary Music Festival.

More books from Penguin Books Ltd

Cover of the book Funnybones: The Black Cat by Igor Toronyi-Lalic
Cover of the book Selected Poetry by Igor Toronyi-Lalic
Cover of the book The Land Lubbers Lying Down Below by Igor Toronyi-Lalic
Cover of the book News from Nowhere and Other Writings by Igor Toronyi-Lalic
Cover of the book Child of Fortune by Igor Toronyi-Lalic
Cover of the book How it Works: The Brother by Igor Toronyi-Lalic
Cover of the book The Flea Palace by Igor Toronyi-Lalic
Cover of the book East-West: Penguin Underground Lines by Igor Toronyi-Lalic
Cover of the book The Painter of Modern Life by Igor Toronyi-Lalic
Cover of the book The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse by Igor Toronyi-Lalic
Cover of the book The Darkness and the Thunder by Igor Toronyi-Lalic
Cover of the book Mrs Wobble the Waitress by Igor Toronyi-Lalic
Cover of the book Henry V (Penguin Monarchs) by Igor Toronyi-Lalic
Cover of the book Maldoror and Poems by Igor Toronyi-Lalic
Cover of the book On the Suffering of the World by Igor Toronyi-Lalic
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy