Benjamin Britten by Paul Kildea
In the eyes of many, Benjamin Britten was our finest composer since Purcell (a figure who often inspired him) three hundred years earlier. He broke decisively with the romantic, nationalist school of figures such as Parry, Elgar and Vaughan Williams and recreated English music in a fresh, modern, European form.
Paul Kildea's superb biography gets closer to Benjamin Britten than any otherHis deep insight into Britten's public and private life uncovers a troubled brilliance which has few parallels in twentieth-century music. This is a compelling, incisive, revelatory - and sometimes disturbing - book, both as musical commentary and as narrative -- Colin Matthews, composer and former assistant to Benjamin Britten
Paul Kildea has, perhaps against the odds, given us a compelling new Britten. Beautifully written, meticulously researched and with a professional's ear for the musical achievements, his compulsively readable new biography boasts an impressive historical sweep and - most important - an unflappable sensitivity to the complexities of his troubled subject. This is by far the best treatment of Britten and his music - and one of the best biographies of any composer - that I know -- Roger Parker, Professor of Music, King's College, London
This at last is the biography Britten deserves: engaged with the music and fascinated by the composer's place in his own times, Kildea presents a truly convincing portrait of a great artist -- Ian Bostridge
Paul Kildea has, perhaps against the odds, given us a compelling new Britten. Beautifully written, meticulously researched and with a professional's ear for the musical achievements, his compulsively readable new biography boasts an impressive historical sweep and - most important - an unflappable sensitivity to the complexities of his troubled subject. This is by far the best treatment of Britten and his music - and one of the best biographies of any composer - that I know -- Roger Parker, Professor of Music, King's College, London
This at last is the biography Britten deserves: engaged with the music and fascinated by the composer's place in his own times, Kildea presents a truly convincing portrait of a great artist -- Ian Bostridge
Paul Kildea is a writer and conductor who has performed many of the Britten works he writes about, in opera houses and concert halls from Sydney to Hamburg. He has written extensively on the relationship between music and culture in the twentieth century: his previous books include Selling Britten (2002) and (as editor) Britten on Music (2003). He was Head of Music at the Aldeburgh Festival between 1999 and 2002 and subsequently Artistic Director of the Wigmore Hall in London. He lives in Berlin.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9781846142321 |
| ISBN 10 | 1846142326 |
| Title | Benjamin Britten |
| Author | Paul Kildea |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Penguin Books Ltd |
| Year published | 2013-01-28 |
| Number of pages | 688 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |