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Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Nationality:
English
Born: November 22, 1913, Lowestoft Died: December 4, 1976, Aldeburgh (age 63)
Lachrymae. Reflections on a song by John Dowland, Op. 48a
(for viola and piano)
Duration: 13 minutes (approximately)
Composed:
1950 (age 36-37)
Commission: For William Primrose
Premiere:
January 20, 1950. Aldeburgh Festival. Benjamin Britten and William Primrose
Note: Based on Dowland's song, "If my complaints could passions move" (NOT "Flow My Tears" or the Lachrymae pavan)
5 recordings,
5 videos
14:12
Matthew Jones, Annabel Thwaite
14:37
Moog, RIAS Sinfonietta
15:52
Lipman, Gutman
14:25
Kashkashian, NY Classical Players
14:51
Hovhannisyan, Lee
Related Composers
Arthur Benjamin (1893-1960)
Teacher
Nationality:
Australian
Born: September 18, 1893, Sydney Died: April 10, 1960, London (age 66)
Frank Bridge (1879-1941)
Teacher
Nationality:
English
Born: February 26, 1879, Brighton Died: January 10, 1941, Eastbourne (age 61)
John Ireland (1879-1962)
Teacher
Nationality:
English
Born: August 13, 1879, Bowdon, Cheshire Died: June 12, 1962, Rock Mill, Washington, Sussex (age 82)
Michael Tippett (1905-1998)
Friend/Colleague
Nationality:
English
Born: January 2, 1905, London Died: January 8, 1998, London (age 93)
glossary
- chamber music, Kammermusik [G], musique de chambre [F], musica da camera [I], musica cameralis [L]—"Classical Music" for a small ensemble, generally 8 or fewer players with a canonical emphasis on 3-6 players. explore
- duo, duet, dueto [S], duetto [I], duett [G]—a work for two instruments; the ensemble itself
- Lachrymae [L]—tears. Perhaps most associated with the doleful songs of the English Renaissance composer John Dowland, the term has been used by British and other composers to evoke somber sorrow.
- opus [L], opera[pl], Op., Opp, WoO, Op. posth—work, as in a work of art. For unique identification, publishers/composers often assign an "opus number", abbreviated as "Op." (e.g. Op. 1). A range of works by opus number, uses the plural "opp." (e.g. "Opp. 1-3"). A single opus number may refer to a collection of works (e.g. a set of quartets) giving rise to designations like "Op. 1, No. 4". For misc. works without opus numbers, "WoO" is often used (e.g."Without Opus"). Posthumously assigned numbers may use "Op. posth". Opus numbers may not precisely reflect chronology (publication vs. composition), can be erroneous, sparse or duplicative. Thus, the works of some historically important composers may use separate catalog numbers (e.g. Bach, Haydn, Schubert). See wiki
- tema con variazioni, con variazioni, Tema e variazioni, theme and variations, Thema mit Variationen [G], Thème varié [F]—a common movement form featuring an initial theme followed by a series of variations on that theme, each of which adjusts any number of parameters to achieve variety, e.g. tempo, rhythm, key, instrumentation, etc.A challenge to the composers ingenuity and a delight for the listener
- theme, tema [I], Thema [G]—a complete and recognizable musical entity (e.g. melody) used as the basis for elaboration (e.g. variations, sontata, fugue, etc.). Also called a subject. Motif (motive) is generally a smaller fragmentary entity.
- variation, variazione, variatio, variato, variata—a modified re-iteration of a previous theme, reprise, couplet, etc. The music is varied, embellished or creatively transformed for variety while maintaining a unity relationship with the original. See "Theme and Variations."