The funkier side of Benjamin Britten

The funkier side of Benjamin Britten

main

norman lebrecht

August 26, 2017

Holiday improv from our pals at Raw Creation.

You see it here first.

Comments

  • Mikey says:
    August 26, 2017 at 7:04 pm

    all I can say say “Why?”
    what’s the point of adding all those pointless syncopations to Britten’s music? Does it in any way, shape, or form, improve on the original?
    to me, this is the same as when rock groups or jazz musicians try to play classical pieces.

    Reply
  • Alex Davies says:
    August 27, 2017 at 5:01 am

    I’m sorry to say that I don’t really see the point of this. Why take a very fine arrangement of one of the most beautiful of British folk songs and do this with it? It’s not that I think that Britten’s arrangement is sacrosanct; I just don’t see what is gained by adapting it in this way.

    Reply
    • Una Barry says:
      August 27, 2017 at 4:39 pm

      This is an English folksong, and there are umpteen arrangements of it! But that figure in the right hand of going up a tone all over the place just gets plain boring!

      Reply
  • Hilary says:
    August 27, 2017 at 11:30 am

    The relative bareness of the Britten arrangement is what makes it so striking. The additional line material clogs it up….rather un-funky to my mind.
    This twist on Ferneyhough on the other hand is rather fun as I thunk it’s done with an element of affection : https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ScxXYjgf3PU

    Reply

    • MOST READ TODAY: