Benjamin Britten's 24-Hour Centennial Celebration
Great Britten: Q2 Music's Daylong Immersion into the Works of Benjamin Britten
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
On Friday, Nov. 22, Q2 Music presents Great Britten – a 24-hour marathon celebrating the centennial of the late British composer Benjamin Britten (born Nov. 22, 1913 in Lowestoft, England; died Dec. 4, 1976 in Aldeburgh, England).
With hosting by composer and self-avowed Britten obsessive Nico Muhly and tributes from a star-studded roster of Britten conductors, musicians and enthusiasts, Great Britten promises a deep dive into the music and legacy of one the most beloved compositional voices of the last 100 years.
Comprised of an eight-hour playlist repeating at 8 am and 4 pm, Great Britten selections include "Abraham and Isaac" from The Canticles with tenor Ian Bostridge, countertenor David Daniels and pianist Julius Drake; the Violin Concerto with violin soloist Janine Jansen; Cello Suite No. 1 with cellist Mstislav Rostropovich; Saint Nicolas with conductor Stephen Layton leading the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge; and many others.
Additional voices featured during Great Britten include conductor and Britten expert Steuart Bedford, music directors Alan Gilbert (New York Philharmonic), Michael Tilson Thomas (San Francisco Symphony), Marin Alsop (Baltimore Symphony), David Roberston (St. Louis Symphony), Donald Runnicles (BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra), James Conlon (Los Angeles Opera) and Peter Oundjian (Toronto Symphony Orchestra); violinist Gil Shaham; and vocalists including countertenor Iestyn Davies, soprano Susanna Phillips and tenors Nicholas Phan and Anthony Dean Griffey.
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Q2 Music is WQXR’s online music station devoted to dynamic contemporary classical music, trailblazing ensembles and vibrant, live performances from New York City's leading new-music venues. Q2 Music lives online at www.wqxr.org/q2music and is accessible via the free WQXR app.
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Comments [6]
...thnx so much for the marathon-tribute to one of the greatest of the last century...happy bday benjamin!
I just wish qxr would actually devote airtime to britten rather than relegate it to q2. kcr's playing such gorgeous choral music right now, much of which I'd never heard before.
I think Mr. Fischbein, may have misunderstood what's occurring today; this is not a Muhly event, but rather a 24 hour tribute to Benjamin Britten's inestimable contribution to the world of music, Britten whose 100th Birthday is being celebrated today. I can think of no better way for a classical music station to be paying tribute.
I was pleased to see you live in Front Royal . . . I used to for a number of years (my parents now live in Winchester).
G. Paul Padillo
Mr. Fischbein, please don't confuse your antipathy for the composer of 'Two Boys' with his duties as host of a 100-year celebration of the life and music of Benjamin Britten. It is right and proper that we honor Britten on this day, even as we remember and mourn the assassination of President John Kennedy on this same day.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this marathon devoted to Britten on his birthday.
I will admit I like nothing about Nico Muhly's music, so I may be biased. However, one would think that another day rather than Nov.22, 2013 could have been chosen for this event. Tomorrow, many Americans will be commemorating the death of J.F.K with dignified events snf services throughout the Country. This Muhly event should be done on a different day.
I am willing to wager that a large number of people who will listen to this internet broadcast will not even know what took place 50 years ago.
God Speed, Charles Fischbein God Speed, Charles Fischbein
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