Description
Although Benjamin Britten’s guitar music represents a very small part of his oeuvre, it contains all the dramatic genius of his greatest works. Britten’s interest in the guitar sprang from his friendship with the famous English virtuoso Julian Bream (1933-2020), to whom his guitar works are dedicated. Bream began performing with Britten’s partner, the tenor Peter Pears, in 1952. In order to expand the duo’s concert programs, Britten (1913-76) dedicated the sixth volume of his Folksongs arrangements to them. Written between 1956 and 1958, these songs illustrate both the composer’s affection for English musical heritage and his conception of the art song.
