With the arrival of Benjamin Britten on the international music scene, many felt that English music gained its greatest genius since Purcell. A composer of wide-ranging talents, Britten found in the human voice an especial source of inspiration, an affinity that resulted in a remarkable body of work, ranging from operas like Peter Grimes (1944-1945) and Death in Venice (1973) to song cycles like the Serenade for tenor, horn, and strings (1943) to Read more the massive choral work War Requiem (1961). He also produced much music for orchestra and chamber ensembles, including symphonies, concerti, and chamber and solo works. Britten's father was a prosperous oral surgeon in the town of Lowestoft, Suffolk; his mother was a leader in the local choral society. When Benjamin's musical aptitude became evident, the family engaged composer Frank Bridge to supervise his musical education. Bridge's tutelage was one of the formative and lasting influences on Britten's compositional development; Britten eventually paid tribute to his teacher in his Op. 10, the Variations on a Theme by Frank Bridge (1937). Britten's formal training also included studies at the Royal College of Music (1930-1933).

Upon graduation from the RCM, Britten obtained a position scoring documentaries (on prosaic themes like "Sorting Office") for the Royal Post Office film unit. Working on a tight budget, he learned how to extract the maximum variety of color and musical effectiveness from the smallest combinations of instruments, producing dozens of such scores from 1935 to 1938. He rapidly emerged as the most promising British composer of his generation and entered into collaborative relationships that exerted a profound influence upon his creative life. Among the most important of his professional associates were literary figures like W.H. Auden, and later, E.M. Forster. None, however, played as central a role in Britten's life as the tenor Peter Pears, who was Britten's closest intimate, both personally and professionally, from the late '30s to the composer's death. Pears' voice inspired a number of Britten's vocal cycles and opera roles, and the two often joined forces in song recitals and, from 1948, in the organization and administration of the Aldeburgh Festival.

A steadfast pacifist, Britten left England in 1939 as war loomed over Europe. He spent four years in the United States and Canada, his compositional pace barely slackening, as evidenced by the production of works like the Sinfonia da Requiem (1940), the song cycle Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo (1940), and his first effort for the stage, Paul Bunyan (1940-1941). Eventually, the poetry of George Crabbe drew Britten back to England. With a Koussevitzky Commission backing him, the composer wrote the enormously successful opera Peter Grimes (1944-45), which marked the greatest turning point in his career. His fame secure, Britten over the next several decades wrote a dozen more operas, several of which -- Albert Herring (1947), Billy Budd (1951), The Turn of the Screw (1954), A Midsummer Night's Dream (1960), Death in Venice (1973) -- became instant and permanent fixtures of the repertoire. He also continued to produce much vocal, orchestral, and chamber music, including Songs and Proverbs of William Blake (1965), the three Cello Suites (1961-1964) and the Cello Symphony (1963), written for Mstislav Rostropovich, and the Third String Quartet (1975).

Britten suffered a stroke during heart surgery in 1971, which resulted in something of a slowdown in his creative activities. Nonetheless, he continued to compose until his death in 1976, by which time he was recognized as one of the principal musical figures of the twentieth century. Read less

Featured Benjamin Britten CDs & DVDs:

Britten: Complete Works With Oboe / Schmalfuss, Et Al

Release Date: 01/11/2000 Label: Md&g (Dabringhaus & Grimm) Gold
Catalog: 3010925 Number of Discs: 1

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Britten: Folk Songs Of The British Isles / Jette, Kogan

Release Date: 11/27/2001 Label: Centaur Records
Catalog: 2507 Number of Discs: 1

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Vaughan Williams, Britten: Works For 2 Pianos / Freeman

Release Date: 11/09/1993 Label: Centaur Records
Catalog: 2095 Number of Discs: 1

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Schubert, Britten, Brahms, Et Al: Lieder / Cotrubas, Werba

Release Date: 11/01/1998 Label: Orfeo D'or
Catalog: 492981 Number of Discs: 1

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Britten: Les Illuminations, Etc / Kofman, Et Al

Release Date: 11/23/2004 Label: Md&g (Dabringhaus & Grimm) Gold
Catalog: 6011275 Number of Discs: 1

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Composition Type: Choral

Work: War Requiem, Op. 66

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Britten: War Requiem / Bostridge, Keenlyside, Noseda, London Symphony

Label: Musical Concepts Catalog: 2029 Release Date: 06/01/2018 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Simon Keenlyside, Sabina Cvilak, Ian Bostridge
Conductor: Gianandrea Noseda
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Symphony Orchestra
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Britten, Penderecki & Berg / Kegel

Label: Brilliant Classics Catalog: 95354 Release Date: 05/27/2016 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Benjamin Britten, Krzysztof Penderecki, Alban Berg
Performer: Theo Adam, Anthony Roden, Kari Lovaas, Hansjurgen Scholze ...
Conductor: Herbert Kegel
Orchestra/Ensemble: Leipzig Radio Chorus, Dresden Boys' Choir, Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra ...

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The Decca Sound [Repackaged Edition]

Label: Decca Catalog: 002434502 Release Date: 01/29/2016 Number of Discs: 50
Composer: Manuel de Falla, Claude Debussy, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Enrique Granados ...
Performer: Teresa Berganza, Alfredo Campoli, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Cecilia Bartoli ...
Conductor: Ernest Ansermet, Ataulfo Argenta, Anatole Fistoulari, Vladimir Ashkenazy ...
Orchestra/Ensemble: Suisse Romande Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra ...

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The CBSO Years / Rattle

Label: Warner Classics Catalog: 552758 Release Date: 10/09/2015 Number of Discs: 52
Composer: Leos Janácek, Benjamin Britten, Kurt Weill, Ralph Vaughan Williams ...
Performer: Felicity Palmer, Ameral Gunson, John Mitchinson, Malcolm King ...
Conductor: Simon Rattle
Orchestra/Ensemble: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus, Christ Church Cathedral Choir Men and Boys ...

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Seiji Ozawa - The Philips Years: Original Jacket Collection [50-CD Set]

Label: Decca Catalog: 002185602 Release Date: 11/18/2014 Number of Discs: 50
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, Béla Bartók, Ludwig van Beethoven, Hector Berlioz ...
Performer: Mariko Kobayashi, Everett Firth, Hiroshi Arimori, Sawako Yasue ...
Conductor: Seiji Ozawa
Orchestra/Ensemble: Boston Symphony Orchestra, Saito Kinen Orchestra, Ambrosian Singers ...
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Britten: War Requiem / Magee, Padmore, Gerhaher, Jansons

Label: Br Klassik Catalog: 900120 Release Date: 10/29/2013 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Mark Padmore, Emily Magee, Max Hanft, Christian Gerhaher
Conductor: Mariss Jansons

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Britten: War Requiem / McCreesh, Gritton, Ainsley, Gabrieli Consort

Label: Signum Classics Catalog: 340 Release Date: 09/24/2013 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Susan Gritton, Christopher Maltman, John Mark Ainsley
Conductor: Paul McCreesh
Orchestra/Ensemble: Gabrieli Consort, Gabrieli Players
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Britten: War Requiem / Britten, Vishnevskaya, Pears [2-CDs & Blu-ray Audio]

Label: Decca Catalog: 001895702 Release Date: 09/17/2013 Number of Discs: 3
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Galina Vishnevskaya, Peter Pears, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Simon Preston
Conductor: Benjamin Britten
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Chorus, Highgate School Chorus ...
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Britten: War Requiem / Ancerl, Czech Philharmonic, Prague Philharmonic Choir

Label: Supraphon Catalog: 4135 Release Date: 07/30/2013 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Nadezda Kniplova, Gerald English, John Cameron, Milada Subrtova ...
Conductor: Karel Ancerl
Orchestra/Ensemble: Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Prague Philharmonic Chorus

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Britten: Choral Works & Operas for Children

Label: Warner Classics Catalog: 151562 Release Date: 06/04/2013 Number of Discs: 7
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Thomas Allen, Robert Tear, Elisabeth Söderström, Mark Blatchly ...
Conductor: Simon Rattle, André Previn, Sir David Willcocks, Sir Philip Ledger ...
Orchestra/Ensemble: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Christ Church Cathedral Choir Men and Boys, City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus ...
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Helmuth Rilling - Personal Selection

Label: Hänssler Classic Catalog: 98008 Release Date: 04/30/2013 Number of Discs: 10
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, César Franck, Benjamin Britten, Franz Joseph Haydn ...
Performer: Juliane Banse, Ingeborg Danz, James Taylor, Andreas Schmidt ...
Conductor: Helmuth Rilling
Orchestra/Ensemble: Stuttgart Bach Collegium, Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart, Aurelius Boys Choir of Calw ...

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Britten: War Requiem / Masur, New York Philharmonic

Label: Apex Catalog: 2564659416 Release Date: 10/30/2012 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Carol Vaness, Jerry Hadley, Thomas Hampson
Conductor: Kurt Masur
Orchestra/Ensemble: American Boychoir, Westminster Symphonic Choir, New York Philharmonic
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Britten: War Requiem / Nelsons, City Of Birmingham Symphony [blu-ray]

Label: Arthaus Musik Catalog: 108070 Release Date: 10/30/2012 Number of Discs: 1
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Erin Wall, Mark Padmore, Hanno Müller-Brachmann
Conductor: Andris Nelsons
Orchestra/Ensemble: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
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Britten War Requiem / van Zweden, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic

Label: Challenge Catalog: 72388 Release Date: 09/11/2012 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Evelina Dobracheva, Anthony Dean Griffey, Mark Stone
Conductor: Jaap van Zweden
Orchestra/Ensemble: Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Netherlands Children's Choir, Netherlands Radio Choir

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Britten: War Requiem / Jaap Van Zweden, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra

Label: Challenge Catalog: 72388 Release Date: 09/11/2012 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Evelina Dobraceva, Anthony Dean Griffey, Mark Stone
Conductor: Reinbert De Leeuw, Jaap van Zweden
Orchestra/Ensemble: Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Netherlands Radio Choir
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Britten: War Requiem / Gardiner, Orgonasova, Rolfe Johnson, Skovhus

Label: Deutsche Grammophon Catalog: 437801 Release Date: 03/04/2011 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Jürgen Lamke, Bo Skovhus, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Luba Orgonasova
Conductor: John Eliot Gardiner
Orchestra/Ensemble: Tölz Boys Choir, North German Radio Symphony Orchestra, North German Radio Chorus Hamburg ...
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Simon Rattle Edition - Benjamin Britten

Label: Warner Classics Catalog: 42743 Release Date: 03/24/2009 Number of Discs: 5
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Robert Tear, Peter Donohoe, Willard White, Alison Hargan ...
Conductor: Simon Rattle
Orchestra/Ensemble: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Christ Church Cathedral Choir Men and Boys ...

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18.

Bach, Handel, Haydn, Britten: Arias From Cantatas & Oratorios / Schreier

Label: Berlin Classics Catalog: 1328 Release Date: 07/08/2008 Number of Discs: 1
Composer: George Frideric Handel, Franz Joseph Haydn, Benjamin Britten, Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer: Peter Schreier

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Britten: War Requiem / Rilling, Dasch, Taylor, Gerhaher, Et Al

Label: Hänssler Classic Catalog: 98507 Release Date: 06/10/2008 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Annette Dasch, James Taylor, Christian Gerhaher
Conductor: Helmuth Rilling
Orchestra/Ensemble: Stuttgart Festival Ensemble, Aurelius Boys Choir of Calw
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Britten: War Requiem / Curtin, Di Virgilio, Krause, Leinsdorf

Label: Video Artists International Catalog: 4429 Release Date: 08/28/2007 Number of Discs: 1
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Nicholas Di Virgilio, Phyllis Curtin, Tom Krause
Conductor: Erich Leinsdorf
Orchestra/Ensemble: Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pro Musica Chorus, Columbus Boychoir

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Britten: War Requiem / Masur, Lpo, Et Al

Label: Lpo Catalog: 10 Release Date: 07/25/2006 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Anthony Dean Griffey, Gerald Finley, Christine Brewer
Conductor: Neville Creed, Kurt Masur, Simon Toyne
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Philharmonic Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Tiffin School Boys Chorus

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22.

Britten: War Requiem / Britten, London Symphony

Label: Decca Catalog: 000638902 Release Date: 05/16/2006 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Peter Pears, Simon Preston, Galina Vishnevskaya, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Conductor: Benjamin Britten
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Highgate School Chorus ...

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23.

Britten: War Requiem; Berg: Violin Concerto; Penderecki

Label: Berlin Classics Catalog: 1012 Release Date: 10/01/2005 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Alban Berg, Krzysztof Penderecki, Benjamin Britten
Performer: Manfred Scherzer, Anthony Roden, Theo Adam, Hansjürgen Scholze ...
Conductor: Herbert Kegel
Orchestra/Ensemble: Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, Leipzig Radio Orchestra, Leipzig Radio Chorus ...

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24.

Britten: War Requiem / Shafer, Washington Chorus, Et Al

Label: Gothic Records Catalog: 49241 Release Date: 05/10/2005 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Christine Goerke, Richard Clement, Richard Stilwell
Conductor: Robert Shafer
Orchestra/Ensemble: Washington Chorus, National Symphony, Washington, D. C., Shenandoah Conservatory Choir ...

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Britten: War Requiem, Sinfonia Da Requiem, Etc / Hickox, Etc

Label: Chandos Catalog: 5007 Release Date: 04/22/2003 Number of Discs: 2
Composer: Benjamin Britten
Performer: Martyn Hill, John Shirley-Quirk, Philip Langridge, Roderick Elms ...
Conductor: Richard Hickox
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Chorus, St. Paul's Cathedral Choir

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