Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Nationality:
English
Born: November 22, 1913, Lowestoft Died: December 4, 1976, Aldeburgh (age 63)
Phantasy Quartet in f minor, Op. 2
(for for oboe and string trio)
| Andante alla marcia - Allegro giusto - Con Fuoco - Tempo I - Andante alla marcia |
Duration: 14 minutes (approximately)
Composed:
1932 (age 18-19)
Note: Composed for the renowned British oboist Leon Goossens, the phantasy brought Britten national and international attention as it was performed on the BBC (1933) and at the annual International Society of Contemporary Music Festival (1934).
13 recordings,
13 videos
14:54
Camerata Pacifica
13:53
Gernot Schmalfuß, Andreas Krecher, Niklas Schwarz, Armin Fromm
13:18
Douglas Boyd, Endellion String Quartet
13:14
Galimir String Quartet
13:24
Alex Klein, Vermeer Quartet
13:40
Wakao, et. al.
14:01
Schmalfuß, et. al.
13:14
Schellenberger, et. al.
13:24
Klein, et. al.
13:34
Holliger, Keller Quartet
13:14
Gomberg, et. al.
13:01
Bulllen, Bowman, Dann, Ortner
12:46
Bennett, et. al.
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
- alla [I], all', à la [F]—to the, in the manner of
- allegro [I]—fast, lively tempo. From the Italian word for cheerful or gay.
- andante [I]—moderately slow tempo (e.g. walking). Faster than adagio but slower than allegretto
- 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
- con [I,S]—with
- fantasia, fantasy, fantazy, fantazia, phantasy, phantasie, fancy, fantasie [G], fantaisie [F] —generally, a piece of music favoring a free flight of expression over strict adherence to formal rules; suggesting an improvisational character. However, there are at least two more specific historical meanings: 1) the fantasia/fantasie/fancy of English Renaissance viol consort music and 2) Cobbett's Phantasie, an early 20th century form of single-movement chamber music inspired by the Renaissance fancy with the goal of stimulating new English chamber or "consort" music.
- fuoco, con fuoco, avec feu [Fr], mit Feuer [G], feurig [G]—fire, fiery; passionately, burning energy and excitement; impetuously
- giusto—just, right, strict, exact, true
- marcia [I], alla marcia, marche [F], Marsch [G], march [E], marciale, marziale—march, in the manner of a march, e.g. duple meter at a moderate but deliberate pace in a manner which may be proud, grand, like a parade or a show of military bravado.
- 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
- quartet, quatuor [F], quartett [G], quartetto [I], cuarteto [S]—ensemble or work for four players the most important examples being the string quartet and the piano quartet
- tempo, tempi [pl]—speed or pace at which music progresses. Traditional classic music typically uses standard Italian words to designate the tempo, e.g. Allegro or adagio. Metronome markings provide precise numerical speeds. Tempo selection during performance is a complex artistic choice informed by composer's markings, performance tradition, technical limitations and interpretation.