Benjamin Britten

(1913-1976)

Benjamin Britten is an English composer, pianist, conductor, public man and outstanding representative of modern English music.

He was born in 1913. Benjamin had a great interest in music. His earliest exposure to music came from his mother, who was an amateur singer. He played the piano at seven, composed an oratorio at nine and had written a symphony, quartets and other works by the time he was sixteen.

B. Britten studied at the Royal College of music for three years. At the age of 19 he began to work for a small film company as a musician and wrote music not for large orchestras, but for six or seven instruments.

The composer first attracted attention in 1934 with the music he composed for the International Society for Contemporary Music. During World War II he moved to the United States. He spent four years in the United States and Canada. The composer wrote the opera Peter Grimes (1944-45), which marked the greatest turning point in his career. It was successfully produced in the USA and abroad. This opera placed Britten among the major composers of England.

The next several decades he wrote a dozen operas, several of which—Albert Billy Budd (1951), The Turn of the Screw (1954), A Midsummer Night's Dream (1960), Death in Venice (1973)—became instant and permanent foundation of the repertoire. He also continued to produce much vocal, orchestral, and chamber music, including Songs and Proverbs of William Blake (1965), the three Cello Suites (1961-1964) and the Cello Symphony (1963), written for Mstislav Rostropovich, and the Third String Quartet (1975). 

B. Britten wrote in many different styles-sometime even in the same work – and always with a brilliant technique. He was especially successful in writing realistic music.

Among his compositions are “Let’s make an Opera”, composed especially for young people, “Beggar’s Opera”, “Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “Billy Budd”, “War Requiem” and “The Turn of the Screw”. He wrote a piece of music called “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra”. It can be taken as a handbook on all the instrument of the orchestra. A teacher can use this music to teach children how to understand each of the instruments in an orchestra. Benjamin Britten’s name was so popular that the title of an article in the “Morning Star” on one of his birthdays was “Great Britten”. He died in 1976.

He often appeared as conductor and pianist in England and abroad.

He died in 1976 at the age of 63 years.

Benjamin Britten must be accepted as the most outstanding English composer working in the mid-20th century. He won a significant international reputation while remaining English in inspiration.

Ukraine

Ukraine is a sovereign state; its independence was proclaimed in 1991. Ukraine is situated in the east of Europe. It has its own territory, government, national emblem, state flag and anthem. Its territory is about 604 (six hundred and four) thousand square kilometers and its population is 45 (forty-five) million people. The capital of Ukraine is Kyiv.

The geographical position of Ukraine is very favorable to the development of its relations with countries of Europe, as well as with the countries throughout the world. It borders on the Russian Federation, Belarus, Moldova, Poland, Czech, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.

The Ukrainian Carpathian and the Crimean Mountains make up those 5% of its area. Ukraine is washed by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov and it has very important ports. The major rivers are the Dnieper, the Dniester, the Bug, the Donets and others.

Ukraine is developed industrial and agricultural country. It’s rich in iron ore, coal, natural gas, oil, salt and other mineral resources. Ukraine has such branches of industry as metallurgy, machine-building, power industry, chemical industry and agriculture. Scientists of Ukraine make their contributions of important discoveries and inventions to the world science. The Academy of Science of Ukraine includes many outstanding scientists and research workers famous for their important discoveries and inventions.

Ukraine has an ancient history. It has its own original culture and arts. Ukraine has many professional theatres and Philharmonic societies.

Over the last years people of Ukraine display a keen interest in the Ukrainian history and cultural and artistic heritage. Many names and masterpieces have been revived. There is a new approach to the development of culture, arts, and languages.

Ukraine cooperates with foreign countries in the field of education, science and culture. The cultural ties between the Ukraine and foreign countries are expanding and strengthening with each year. The exchange of literary works, concert tours of theatrical and music societies, film festivals, sport competitions, tourist trips – these forms of cooperation have become a common thing in the life of our people.

Now Ukraine establishes new relations with countries throughout the world. Ukraine is one of the founding members of the United Nations Organization and participates in the work of many international organizations.