Around Britten Michael Kennedy on a fine introduction to the composer, and a collection of his writings

From: The Sunday Telegraph London | Date: July 27, 2003| Author: | Copyright information

Britten

by David Matthews

Haus, pounds 12.99, 182 pp

pounds 12.99 ( pounds 2.25 p&p) 0870 155 7222

Britten on Music

ed by Paul Kildea

Oxford, pounds 30, 456 pp

pounds 30 ( pounds 2.25 p&p) 0870 155 7222

IN THE 27 years since his death there has been no shortage of books about Benjamin Britten and one might wonder if there was need for yet another. But there is always room for a book as good as this short but fact-filled biography by David Matthews.

Matthews not only helped to edit Britten's music in the composer's lifetime but is himself a composer (like his brother Colin). His book contains ...

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