Britten's Children [Hardcover]

John Bridcut (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2006

"Britten's Children" confronts the edgy subject of the composer's obsessional, yet strangely innocent relationships with adolescent boys. One of the hallmarks of Benjamin Britten's music is his use of boys' voices, and John Bridcut uses this to create a fresh prism through which to view the composer's life. Interweaving discussion of the music he wrote for and about children with interviews with the boys whom Britten befriended, Bridcut explores the influence of these unique friendships - notably with the late David Hemmings - and how they helped Britten maintain links with his own happy childhood. In a remarkable part of the book, Bridcut tells for the first time the full story of Britten's love affair in the 1930s with the 18-year-old German Wulff Scherchen, son of the conductor Hermann Scherchen. As Paul Hoggart of "The Times" commented, "this type of love belonged to an emotional landscape that has vanished for ever, and we are the poorer for it". Since making the film, the author has extended his research to include friendships Britten had with children which have not previously been documented.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A unique and moving re-assessment of Benjamin Britten by the award-winning film director, John Bridcut. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Faber & Faber (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0571228399
• ISBN-13: 978-0571228393
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,798,160 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, May 7, 2007

By 

Bob Shaw "computer musician" (Fairmont, WV USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Britten's Children (Hardcover)

I read this book last summer while sitting by my outdoor fountain. It was perfect summer reading, and insightful into the personality & music of Britten. My first real experience with Britten's music was participating in his WAR REQUIEM just a year after it was composed, conducted by the great Robert Shaw & the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. I've been hooked on Britten ever since then, & this book just hit the spot.