Benjamin Britten, born in Lowestoft, England, began
composing at age five. As a young man,
Britten worked for the Post Office - composing music for documentary
films. It is here that he met his
lifelong friend and future librettist - W. H. Auden - the author of the text
for today's program On This Island, Opus
11.
Although
Britten wrote many of his vocal solo works for his long-time lover and
compositional muse, tenor Peter Pears, he wrote three pieces for soprano Sophie
Wyss - including today's work, which premiered on November 19, 1937, with
Britten at the piano. Tamara Matthews
Classical Music | Soprano
Benjamin Britten
On This Island Play
Recorded on 11/09/2004, uploaded on 01/15/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
On This Island (W. H. Auden) Benjamin Britten
Benjamin Britten, born in Lowestoft, England, began composing at age five. As a young man, Britten worked for the Post Office - composing music for documentary films. It is here that he met his lifelong friend and future librettist - W. H. Auden - the author of the text for today's program On This Island, Opus 11.
Although Britten wrote many of his vocal solo works for his long-time lover and compositional muse, tenor Peter Pears, he wrote three pieces for soprano Sophie Wyss - including today's work, which premiered on November 19, 1937, with Britten at the piano. Tamara Matthews
More music by Benjamin Britten
Phantasy Quartet, Op. 2
Procession
That Yonge Child
Lachrymae, Op. 48
Let the florid music praise!, from On This Island, Op. 11
Now the leaves are falling fast, from On This Island, Op. 11
Spring Carol
Seascape, from On This Island, Op. 11
This Little Babe
String Quartet No. 3, Op. 94
Performances by same musician(s)
Mädchenblumen, Op. 22
Cinq melodies “de Venise”, Op. 58
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