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Celebrating Britten’s contribution to film
PREVIEW: BENJAMIN BRITTEN WEEKEND
Royal Festival Hall
THE Royal Festival Hall and the London Philharmonic Orchestra are holding what looks like a very exciting weekend from April 13, exploring the music of Benjamin Britten, particularly looking at his relationship with theatre and film.
Britten is perhaps the most celebrated of Britain’s 20th-century composers. He has been seen as the successor of Purcell, having rejuvenated opera in this country, but during the 1930s he worked extensively on film music.
It is an area of his repertoire that has been frequently overlooked.
Between 1935 and 1939 he wrote music for 16 films for the GPO film unit, most notably for the wonderful Night Mail. How can one forget the clattering rhythm of Auden’s poem: “This is the Night Mail crossing the border/ Bringing the cheque and the postal order.”
Other films for which he wrote scores four include Coal Face as well as the 1937 film, Love from A Stranger, which was revived by Carl Davis 12 years ago.
So on Saturday April 14 there is a discussion on this period in Britten’s composing career with scholar Philip Read, a talk with Valentine Cunningham, who will examine the political and cultural context of the music and an open rehearsal with conductor Vernon Handley, who will take the orchestra through a rehearsal of Simple Symphony.
The day, held at the Purcell Rooms, begins at 9.30am, with tickets from £10-£15.
And at 7.30pm on Saturday evening there is a concert featuring Britten’s Simple Symphony, alongside Vaughan Williams’ Symphony 5 in D and Beethoven’s Piano Concerto in C Minor, with Melvyn Tan on piano.
On Sunday conductor Marin Alsop will lead the London Philharmonic Orchestra performing Britten’s Violin Concerto, with Anthony Marwood on violin, as well as Dvorak’s Symphony 7 in D Minor and Brahms Tragic Overture.
Tickets for both these concerts are between £6 and £35.
Ring 020 7840 4242 for tickets.
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