Book Review
May. 28th, 2010 08:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariBenjamin Britten
by Michael Oliver
This is one of the Phaidon series of books on 20th century composers, and, like the others I've read from the series, is a solid overview of the subject's life and works. They're not heavy on the analysis or criticism, but they are a very good starting place for learning about and getting background on a composer. They also have many pictures that help to give the reader a sense of personality and place.
I've very much admired Britten's music ever since seeing a production of The Turn of the Screw at The Boston Conservatory when I was in grad school there. Then several years later, I was blown away by the War Requiem. it turns out there's a lot to admire and like about him personally, too. He was diligent and hard-working, sensitive, and prone to feeling less-than-confident about his work. His aesthetic combined both traditional and modernistic elements. He also was an able administrator, successfully founding and running the Aldeburgh festival for many years. I found I could really relate to him.
Oliver's writing is straightforward and sympathetic. He covers a lot of ground very efficiently and happily does not indulge in any idealization of Britten or any "great genius" conceits.
by Michael Oliver
This is one of the Phaidon series of books on 20th century composers, and, like the others I've read from the series, is a solid overview of the subject's life and works. They're not heavy on the analysis or criticism, but they are a very good starting place for learning about and getting background on a composer. They also have many pictures that help to give the reader a sense of personality and place.
I've very much admired Britten's music ever since seeing a production of The Turn of the Screw at The Boston Conservatory when I was in grad school there. Then several years later, I was blown away by the War Requiem. it turns out there's a lot to admire and like about him personally, too. He was diligent and hard-working, sensitive, and prone to feeling less-than-confident about his work. His aesthetic combined both traditional and modernistic elements. He also was an able administrator, successfully founding and running the Aldeburgh festival for many years. I found I could really relate to him.
Oliver's writing is straightforward and sympathetic. He covers a lot of ground very efficiently and happily does not indulge in any idealization of Britten or any "great genius" conceits.
no subject
Date: 2010-05-29 01:00 am (UTC)As someone who is listening to the 1958 Decca recording of Peter Grimes as I type, this is useful to me; I know bits and pieces of Britten's life, but have never read a comprehensive biography. Thanks!
no subject
Date: 2010-05-29 01:25 am (UTC)We have only three years until his centenary - I'm hoping that there will be lots of terrific performances in Boston.