Essays on Benjamin Britten from a centenary symposium

Coming to terms with Britten's music is no easy task.

The complex, often contradictory language associated with Britten's style likely stems from his double interest in progressive composition and immediate connection with a broad, popular audience - an apparent paradox in the splintered musical culture of the 20th century.

The essays included here challenge assumptions about musical constructs, relationships between text and music and the influences of age, spirituality and personal relationships on compositional technique.