Benjamin Britten Matinees Musicales

Publication date 1950
The Boston Pops Orchestra; Arthur Fiedler
Benjamin Britten's "Matinees Musicales" is a choral-orchestral work that dates back to 1941. The piece is composed of eight movements that are interconnected thematically. Each movement is based on a different piece by Italian composer Gioachino Rossini.
"Matinees Musicales" is an aesthetic masterpiece that is characterized by its brilliant musical construction and magnificent performance. The piece opens with a fanfare featuring the brass section that sets the tone for the rest of the work. Britten efficiently uses Rossini's melodies and brilliantly creates a subtle harmonic transition between the movements.
The first movement is a lively fanfare that is based on Rossini's Barber of Seville overture. The second movement takes inspiration from Rossini's Stabat Mater no. 2, and it epitomizes the solemnity of the original piece. Britten extended parts of the Stabat Mater with music arranged for a small orchestra section in the third movement.
The fourth movement, a romping piece based on Rossini's overture to La scala di seta, is the liveliest and most energetic among all the movements. The fifth movement has a slow and mournful melody and is based on Rossini's lament from Otello. The sixth movement is a charming, cheerful melody based on the baritone aria from the Barber of Seville's finale.
The seventh movement is interpolated with Britten's original choral composition. The extended ending is a celebration that is based on the Tarantella movement from the L'Italiana in Algeri overture. The orchestra closes the piece with a potent chord.
Britten's "Matinees Musicales" is a well-crafted piece of music that is regarded as one of the composer's early works, yet a masterpiece nonetheless. The piece's innovative use of Rossini's melodies is executed expertly, and the result is an unparalleled aesthetic experience.
In conclusion, Benjamin Britten's "Matinees Musicales" is a work every classical music enthusiast should listen to. It is a masterpiece that showcases Britten's abilities as a composer. From the moving lamento to the lively finale, Britten's work is an excellent representation of what it means to work with an innovative musical arrangement.
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