In the Pushkin Museum. Pushkin exhibition opens today for the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer Benjamin Britten, representing about 50 works from his collection of art, as well as letters, documents, and so on.

HENRY LAMB Portrait of Benjamin Britten. 1945
© Britten-Pears Foundation, Aldeburgh
Source : artsmuseum.ru


Georg Ehrlich Benjamin Britten . 1966
© Britten-Pears Foundation, Aldeburgh
Source : artsmuseum.ru


HENRY LAMB The strange story : the family
Henry Lamb . 1943
© Britten-Pears Foundation, Aldeburgh
Source : artsmuseum.ru

Pushkin Museum. Pushkin
October 16 - December 1, 2013
st. Volhonka , 12

Today at the Pushkin Museum. Pushkin presents " The art world Britten's " dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest composers of the XX century, Benjamin Britten ( 1913-1976 ) . His opera " Peter Grimes " ( 1945), "Death in Venice " (1973 ), and others included in the repertoire of opera houses around the world , his songs , chamber and orchestral music has been appreciated by the performers and the audience .

Russia held a special place in the life of the English composer. The earliest contact with the culture of our country has been associated with the music of Tchaikovsky . As a young man bought a pocket score of Britten 's Violin Concerto , and journal entries after 1928 are an expression of sheer delight melodic discoveries stains orchestration and professional skill of the Russian composer , especially in the music for the ballet . Britten later introduced to the music of Dmitri Shostakovich and considered him one of the greatest Soviet composers . He was shocked by the Fifth Symphony , a strong impression on him made the opera "Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District ", which was staged in 1936 at the Queen's Hall. In 1960, Britten and Shostakovich first met at a concert of the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall . By 1965, their relationship developed into a close friendship . No less creative and warm personal relationship Britten associated with musicians and artists as Mstislav Rostropovich, Galina Vishnevskaya , Svyatoslav Richter . Especially for Rostropovich Britten wrote a sonata , symphony for cello and three suites , which have become the most important works in the cello repertoire . Britten also admired the vocal range and musical intelligence and Galina Vishnevskaya - as a composer , highly appreciated the communication process - her ability to convey to the audience the essence of the work. In the years 1961-1962 he wrote specifically for the soprano Galina Vishnevskaya in the " War Requiem ", and four years later - "Echo of the poet ," a deep and surprisingly soulful song cycle on poems by Pushkin .

In 1960 at the Britten was another source of inspiration related to Russia , - the ability to act together with Sviatoslav Richter , whom he considered the greatest of the modern piano . Brittain sent him and his wife , Nina Dorliac , many of his works . Richter especially appreciated the Piano Concerto (1938 /45) , played it together with the author, who conducted the orchestra. Sviatoslav Richter knew how special way to delve into the essence of works of Russian and foreign composers who performed at the famous festival in Aldeburgh , organized by Britten and Pears . There is a record performance in 1967 by Richter and Britten 's Sonata in D Major by Mozart for two pianos. It captures the unique personal and artistic empathy and enjoyment of co-creation .

no coincidence that in the year of the 100th anniversary of the British composer is in the Pushkin Museum. Pushkin, where for more than 30 years, is an international music festival " December Nights of Sviatoslav Richter ," an exhibition of " Art World Britten ." It is a tribute to the memory of an outstanding composer , as well as the opportunity to get acquainted with the art world that surrounded him . The exhibition presents unique photos , letters and other documents illustrating the relationship of Britten with Russian musicians and composers. In addition, for the first time in Russia shows works from the collection of Britten - Pierce , who has been an integral part of the life of the composer .

his collection of works of art composer Benjamin Britten and tenor Peter Pears collected throughout his life, flowed in the midst of the British culture of the twentieth century. Pierce once said, " This is not the story of one man - this is our common life." This community was manifested not only in their dynamic musical partnership that began in 1930 and continued until Britten's death in 1976, but in the collection of works of art that adorned the walls of the houses where they lived. The collection grew out of the desire of its founders to aesthetic pleasure, it is also the result of their creative and artistic constructive relations of cooperation. It is made by more than 1,200 works of art - paintings , drawings , engravings , lithographs , sculptures , and sketches of scenery and costumes . From the beginning, Britten and Pierce began to collect works both British and international artists. Their work provided them with familiarity and friendship with a number of contemporary artists , many of whom wrote scenery for productions of operas by Britten. For example , John Piper (1903-1992) , who apply for almost all of Britten's opera " Rape of Lucretia " in 1947 to "Death in Venice " in 1973 , was a close friend and favorite artist composer. At the exhibition include works by J. Piper as " Abstract Composition " (1935 ), " The Church in Aldeburgh " ( 1954), "Variations on antique print II» ( 1955) , etc.

In the collection there are works donated by Britten . This, for example , works such as " Haystacks . Richmond "(1913 ) by Frederick Spencer Gore and" Lowestoft "( Britten's place of birth ) , Joseph Herman , presented to Britten for birthdays in 1948 and 1951 . And if Britten mostly bought or received as a gift to the works of contemporary artists , the pier was a major philanthropist and art collector . The works of artists of the XIX century , such as Constable and Norwich School masters , particularly attracted his attention. They were purchased by the painting " The Apostle Paul and the Snake " ( 1803 ) by William Blake , which was shown at an exhibition in the Pushkin Museum. Pushkin in 2011-2012 , " Suffolk Landscape " ( 1820) and " Portrait of Charles Golding Constable " (1824 ) painted by John Constable .

The exhibition shows about 50 works , including paintings by John Constable , Walter Sickert , Spencer Frederick Gore, Henry Lamb , Max Ernst, John Piper and others. Complement the exhibition " Portrait of Benjamin Britten's " (1945 ) painted by Henry Lamb and bronze sculpture "Benjamin Britten " (1966 ) by Georg Ehrlich .

The collection of Britten - Pierce works out for the first time presented in the Pushkin Museum. Pushkin, reflected biographies of people who lived in the center of the art world created by them . The fund Britten - Pierce collection is stored , as a testament to the taste and the creative genius of its creators. The exhibition will be a boon for all those who love music and art .

Source : artsmuseum.ru