The Music of Benjamin Britten (Clarendon Paperbacks) [Paperback]

Peter Evans (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 1996 | Series: Clarendon Paperbacks

This comprehensive guide to Britten's musical achievement discusses all the published compositions in subdivisions of genre and period, and devotes a separate chapter to each opera. With the help of over 300 music examples and diagrams, Evans demonstrates Britten's mastery of the art of composition. Since this book's first appearance in 1979, Britten's publishers have made available a considerable number of works withheld during the composer's lifetime; some are juvenilia, but others date from as late as the Peter Grimes period. In a postscript to this edition, Peter Evans assesses the creative stature of these works and their significance in Britten's development. The catalogue of works now includes these additional titles, and the selective bibliography has been revised.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There is no work about which he does not have something valuable and stimulating to say."--Michael Kennedy, The Musical Times

"With insight of such quality expressed in prose of such clarity, the book belongs to the best tradition of musical criticism."--Philip Brett, Notes

"It has sent me back to the music with keener ears and eyes....Highly recommended as a most intelligent and musically sensitive study."--Clifford Bartlett, Brio

About the Author

The author has published commentaries on most of the composer's principal works as they appeared, and has practical experience of many of them as a conductor.

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Rev Sub edition (June 27, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198165900
• ISBN-13: 978-0198165903
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,354,345 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great price!, February 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Music of Benjamin Britten (Clarendon Paperbacks) (Paperback)

This is a great price for the best analytical look at Britten's music around. Almost every composition is included. Some of the earliest compositions, which are now published by Faber, are not included. This new edition is definately worth grabbing!