Music & Dance
Event Title
On This Island: The First Autobiography of Benjamin Britten
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
Music & Dance
Start Date
11-4-2014 9:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2014 10:30 AM
Sponsor
Kathie Kelton (Butler University)
Description
As England celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of its most famous composers, the world once again dives headlong into the music of Benjamin Britten. His works continue to endure nearly a century after their creation for many reasons, not least of which is the fascinating window to the soul of the composer himself that his pieces provide. What is arguably the first of many such works is Britten's On this Island, a cycle of five songs set to poetry written by his close friend W. H. Auden. In this, his first of several song cycles, Britten uses the music and text to reveal several important aspects of his character, aspects that would shape him as a composer, musician, and man for years to come.
On This Island: The First Autobiography of Benjamin Britten
Indianapolis, IN
As England celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of its most famous composers, the world once again dives headlong into the music of Benjamin Britten. His works continue to endure nearly a century after their creation for many reasons, not least of which is the fascinating window to the soul of the composer himself that his pieces provide. What is arguably the first of many such works is Britten's On this Island, a cycle of five songs set to poetry written by his close friend W. H. Auden. In this, his first of several song cycles, Britten uses the music and text to reveal several important aspects of his character, aspects that would shape him as a composer, musician, and man for years to come.