Benjamin Britten
How apt that Benjamin Britten was born on St Cecilia's Day (22 November) in 1913. His music, and his artistry as a pianist, came from an enormous talent that he put to full use. His contribution to Music (rather than just British music) makes him a leading figure in the annals of 20th century music. He died on 4 December 1976 at Aldeburgh, where the festival he founded with Peter Pears continues.
A selection of M&V articles about Benjamin Britten
Ensemble. A Double Farewell - Henze and Mahler in Rome, reported by Giuseppe Pennisi
DVD Spotlight. A Rarity - Jonathan Dove's 'The Adventures of Pinocchio', reviewed by Howard Smith. '... considerable merits on display ...'
Ensemble. A New Dimension - Giuseppe Pennisi reports that chamber opera is alive and well
Ensemble. A Fascinating Anthology - Music on the theme of angels, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Lyric Warmth - Jennifer Larmore sings Barber, Berlioz, Ravel and Britten, recommended by Howard Smith. '... a compelling disc ...'
Ensemble. Alert Playing - A recital for oboe and harp, heard by Mike Wheeler
Nicely Judged - A recital by harpist Anneleen Lenaerts impresses Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Expertly Structured - Mike Wheeler was at a song recital by Richard Roddis and Philip Robinson
The Philosophy of Absence - Jennifer Paull investigates four releases of Cage's Number Pieces
Highly Articulate - American dramatic soprano Christine Brewer talks to Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Sing ye to the Lord - Roderic Dunnett was at the 2009 Hereford Three Choirs Festival
A Real Find - Robert Davies made a remarkable impact when he stood in as Papageno late in the run of English Touring Opera's 'The Magic Flute'; Roderic Dunnett profiles him and celebrates the progress of other ETO cast members
A Useful Survey - Thomas May's 'The John Adams Reader', reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Excellent Throughout - A lunchtime piano recital by Maiko Mori, heard by Bill Newman
Ensemble. Coherently Brilliant - Robert Hugill was at the opening performance of English National Opera's 'Peter Grimes'
Ensemble. Unique Sonorities - Britten's Peter Grimes, heard by Maria Nockin
Ensemble. An Eloquent Performance - Music from the Richard Roddis Singers and the Helix Ensemble, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Perfection - Benjamin Britten folksong arrangements, recommended by Howard Smith. '... this release is worth several times it's weight in gold.'
Ensemble. Outstanding Performance - A San Diego performance of Verdi's 'Rigoletto' impresses Maria Nockin
Record Box. Haunted Loneliness - Orchestral music by Benjamin Britten, heard by Patric Standford
Record Box. Stirring Performances - String chamber music by Imogen Holst, recommended by Gerald Fenech
A Stressful Collaboration - Gerard Schurmann describes his involvement with the music score for 'Lawrence of Arabia'
CD Spotlight. Pride of Place - Piano music by Frank Bridge, praised by Howard Smith. 'A standing ovation for Mark Bebbington ...'
Record Box. A Rewarding Experience - Music from The Phoenix Chorale impresses Patric Standford
DVD Spotlight. Understandably Controversial - Derek Jarman's 'War Requiem', reviewed by Howard Smith. '... cutting room virtuosity.'
Ensemble. Drama and Bite - A concert by the Op 3 piano trio, reviewed by Malcolm Miller
Record Box. Wit and Energy - Music for piano and orchestra by Benjamin Britten, enjoyed by Robert Anderson
Ensemble. A Wonderful Experience - Maria Nockin visits Santa Fe for operas by Verdi, Mozart, Britten and Handel, plus the first American performance of Kaija Saariaho's 'Adriana Mater'
Ensemble. Propulsive Energy - Sinfonia Viva at the Buxton Festival, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Sleep and Dreams - Mike Wheeler listens to Britten's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
Ensemble. Nicely Caught - A song recital by Richard Roddis and Clive Pollard, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Record Box. Family and Friends - Sara Botkin's Christmas collection, reviewed by Patric Standford
Ensemble. Points of Contact - Choral music by Britten and Finzi from the Derwent Singers, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. On Fine Form - Jeremy Hagan and the Derby Concert Orchestra, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Taut Austere Passion - Music with a Britten and Auden connection, performed by John Lofthouse and Stephen Rose, and reviewed by Malcolm Miller
Ensemble. Much to Enjoy - A concert by the Philharmonia of the Nations, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Splendidly Wide-ranging - The Sitwell Singers' Christmas concert, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Passionate Sympathy - Another take on Opera North's 'Peter Grimes', by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. An Electrifying Production - Verdi's 'Rigoletto' from Opera North, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. A Spectacular Portrayal - Opera North's 'Peter Grimes', reviewed by Patric Standford
Ensemble. Revisiting with Pleasure - Summer at Longborough Festival Opera, enjoyed by Roderic Dunnett
Record Box. Enterprising Recordings - Music for piano and orchestra, reviewed by Patric Standford
Ensemble. Sparkling Performances - Yvonne Kenny and Iain Burnside at London's Wigmore Hall, reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Velvety Textures - Malcolm Miller enjoys Voces8 in London's new Foundling Museum Lunchtime Series
Record box. An appealing programme - Mahler, Schumann and Britten, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Physical and Spiritual - Music on the theme of journeys, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Bitter strength - Orchestral music by Benjamin Britten, recommended by Ron Bierman. '... outstanding performances.'
Ensemble. Telling contributions - Carols from Derby Cathedral, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. A gripping evening - 'Billy Budd' at English National Opera, reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Striking sonorities - Twentieth-century British music, sung by Derby Choral Union, and reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Pervasive influence - A return visit to London by the Verdehr Trio, reviewed by Peter Dickinson
Record box. Accomplished playing - Kumiko Ida's British piano album, appreciated by Patric Standford
Useful insights - Daniel Felsenfeld's book 'Samuel Barber and Benjamin Britten. Their lives and their music', reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Exquisite finesse - A song recital by Andrew Kennedy and Simon Lepper impresses Roderic Dunnett
CD Spotlight. A versatile performer - Daphna Cohen-Licht's recital disc 'Emotional Turbulence', reviewed by Robert Hugill. '... Cohen-Licht gives full reign to the drama ...'
Lasting friendships - Roderic Dunnett looks back to a glorious weekend celebrating Gerald Finzi and English Song in Ludlow with the Finzi Friends, and hopes for another next year
CD Spotlight. Often ravishing - Music by Debussy, Prokofiev, Britten and Ravel, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... admirably encompassed ...'
DVD Spotlight. Gripping performance - 'The Turn of the Screw', reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... splendidly captured musically and visually ...'
Profile. Letting the music grow - A conversation with Dan Locklair, by Carson Cooman
Ensemble. Admirably involving - Tau Wey at the 2004 Regent Hall Summer Festival, reviewed by Malcolm Miller
CD Spotlight. Hope and fear - Berg and Britten violin concertos, reviewed by Robert Anderson. '... a violinist of superb accomplishment ...'
Ensemble. Hauntingly beautiful - Britten's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at the London Coliseum, reviewed by Robert Hugill
Ensemble. Misunderstood? - 'Peter Grimes' at Covent Garden, reviewed by Robert Hugill
Premature conclusions? - Alistair Hinton replies to Robert Hugill on the subject of composers and sexuality
Ensemble. The thinnest tightrope - David Wilkins at the Hungarian première of Britten's 'The Turn of the Screw'
Ensemble. Congress of passions - The Finchley Choral Society Centenary Concert, reviewed by Keith Bramich
CD Spotlight. Single voice - Music for unaccompanied oboe, reviewed by Jennifer Paull. '... a masterful performance.'
Violin Master - Gordon Rumson reports on a rare Carnegie Hall appearance of Mark Lubotsky
A star is reborn - BBC Legends, passing its one hundredth release, is appreciated by John Bell Young
Ensemble. A haunting future - Roderic Dunnett praises two recent productions at newly restored Grange Park Opera
Ensemble - Truly chilling. David Thompson listens to Britten's 'War Requiem' in London
Subtle colours - Malcolm Miller reports on a choice programme of English choral music in London
Record Box - Manners of clothing - At ease with the sacred, with Basil Ramsey
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