The Power of Invention
Young Britten is now immersed in the London life, thrilled to attend concerts and hoping to get his own music performed. But, asks Donald Macleod, how to get his big breakthrough?
Benjamin Britten was one of the most influential British composers of the 20th century, with celebrated works such as 'Peter Grimes', 'Friday Afternoons' or 'A Simple Symphony'. Music infused his very first moments in life and he started to develop his musical instincts from a very early age. Many of his future masterpieces can be traced back to the inspiration of his youth. This week, Donald Macleod explores these crucial early years in Britten's creative story, from his birth under the star of St Cecilia to his departure for America at 25 years old.
In this third episode, young Britten is now immersed in the London life, thrilled to attend concerts and hoping to get his own music performed. But how to get his big breakthrough?
Three Divertimenti for String Quartet
2nd mvt, Waltz
Brodsky Quartet
Sinfonietta, Op 1
1st mvt, Poco presto ed agitato
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Edward Gardner, conductor
Phantasy, Op 2, for oboe, violin, viola and violoncello
I. Andante alla marcia
II. Allegro giusto
Francois Leleux, oboe
Lisa Batiashvili, violin
Lawrence Power, viola
Sebastian Klinger, cello
Holiday Diary, Op 5 – suite for piano
Stephen Hough, piano
A Boy Was Born, Op 3
Variation I: 'Lullay, Jesu'
The Sixteen
Choristers of St Paul’s Cathedral (John Scott, choir director)
Harry Christophers, director
Simple Symphony, Op 4
English Chamber Orchestra
Benjamin Britten, conductor
Presented by Donald Macleod
Produced by Julien Rosa
A BBC Audio Wales & West production for BBC Radio 3
Last on
Music Played
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Benjamin Britten
Three Divertimenti (No 2, Waltz)
Ensemble: Brodsky String Quartet.- CHALLENGE CLASSICS : 72106.
- CHALLENGE CLASSICS.
- 6.
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Benjamin Britten
Sinfonietta, Op 1 (1st mvt)
Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Edward Gardner.- Chandos CHAN10671.
- Chandos.
- 10.
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Benjamin Britten
Phantasy, Op 2 (1st & 2nd mvts)
Performer: François Leleux. Performer: Lisa Batiashvili. Performer: Lawrence Power. Performer: Sebastian Klinger.- SONY 88697285852.
- SONY.
- 8.
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Benjamin Britten
Holiday Diary Suite, Op 5
Performer: Sir Stephen Hough.- WARNER CLASSICS : 190295169541.
- WARNER CLASSICS.
- 1.
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Benjamin Britten
A Boy Was Born, Op 3 (Variation 1, Lullay, Jesu)
Choir: The Sixteen. Choir: St Paul's Cathedral Choir. Conductor: Harry Christophers.- CORO : COR-16034.
- CORO.
- 21.
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Benjamin Britten
Simple Symphony, Op.4
Orchestra: English Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Benjamin Britten.- DECCA : 417 509-2-.
- DECCA.
- 2.
Broadcast
- Wed 19 Feb 202516:00BBC Radio 3
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