Transcript Benjamin Britten ( 1913 – 1976 )

Benjamin Britten ( 1913 – 1976 )
Benjamin Britten , noted
English composer, pianist and
conductor, has won
international fame for
writing works that range
from arrangements of folk
songs for voice and piano to
operas .
He has born in the county of Suffolk, in 1913 .
Benjamin’s father was a dentist, and a music lover, his
mother played the piano and sang. Benjamin began to
play the piano and composed his first musical piece
when he was five. After leaving school he entered the
Royal College of Music where he studied for three years .
At 19 Benjamin began to work as a musician for
a small film company writing music for films and
later for radio plays , as well as children’s songs .
When the Second World War broke out, Britten
gave concerts for the British army, never giving
up composing music .
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His
greatest achievement,
however, was creating operas,
among the most popular are
“Peter Grimes“ performed in
many countries. It’s an exiting
story about a poor fisherman
who is falsly accused and driven
out of his native village , and the
children’s opera “Noyes Fludde“.
Britten is famous for using
children’s voices both in religious
and circular music .
Among his best works is the sombre “ War Requiem “
expressing the composer’s hatred for war and death.
Melodious and not difficult, Britten’s music can be
enjoyed by music lovers of all ages. Living in
Aldeburgh, Suffolk, Britten started in 1948 the
annual Aldeburgh music festival, a high – quality
classical music festival still held in the town every
June and known for its relatively informal
atmosphere. For his achievements in music Benjamin
was awarded the Order of Merit in 1956 .
Benjamin Britten died in 1976, when he was only 63 years old .
But his creations are still popular
now and millions of people still
admire them .