Benjamin Britten And Serialism- Help!

ive got this essay due in asap! I don't even know where to START!

To what extent does Benjamin Britten use serial techniques in his composition?

Help!!

Reply 1

MikeyB!

Oh er. Does Britten even use serialism?!

Have you tried Grove? Or there are some fantastic books on Britten out there. Try your local library!

Reply 2

Rich_b

Oh er indeed. What a crazy title... is it in relation to any set works or just plucked out at random. Know he does use the occasional tone row, I think in "Death in Venice" or somesuch later opera, and sure have read about the odd bit of serialism in the War Requiem. But for the greater part, Benjamin ain't really a serialist!

Reply 3

Fletch

Rich_b

I'd agree with that - he was certainly a chromatisist but serialism was much too hard edged for the English post-romantics. Maybe you could compare him to Alban Berg who used serialism as a "flavour" rather than a prescription.

Reply 4

Rich_b

and sure have read about the odd bit of serialism in the War Requiem. But for the greater part, Benjamin ain't really a serialist!

This is true. There is music which resembles serialism in the war requiem. Off the top of my head, the first time the boys choir and organ features (in the second section I *think*) there is the 12 note motif featuring all the notes between C and C.

That's all I can think off without sitting down with my study score and listening to it (I'm studying it at the mo).

Remember in an essay, especially one such as this, with a question, don't forget to include both poins of views so did he or didn't he? Whats the views or can you find any criticism to support for or against.

As for books, yes, Benji was a popular with biographers and writers and some of them are goooood! Do you have a music lib handy? Go and visit if you can. If not, I'll look up in the music library I work in as to your nearest one. :smile:

Good luck.

Reply 5

Rich_b

The wikipedia articles on both Owen Wingrave and The Turn of the Screw both mention 12-tone technique.

Whilst on the subject of Britten if you get change go see Opera North's production of Peter Grimes... tis truly amazing. Saw it in Nottingham last week, think it vists Newcastle, Leeds and London now.