Sir Benjamin Britten: An Homage to a Geniusby Anonymous

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January 12, 2007: For those who are under the spell of the music of Benjamin Britten this filmed posthumous portrait by Tony Palmer of Britten the man is essential viewing. Originally created in 1980 it is only now released on DVD and the world's acceptance of Britten's music and humanity is even more poignant now. Palmer knows how to balance the biographical data, pictures of childhood and family, references to the composer as pacifist and a man whose personal convictions and life were at odds with his time, and weaves those essential elements with copious moments of Britten's amazingly large output of music in a way that allows us to understand this major musical genius of the twentieth century. By introducing comments from Britten's housekeeper Miss Hudson, his nurse during his final illness Rita Thompson, his copyist and musical confidants Imogen Holst and Rosamund Strode, the Mayer family who housed Britten and his life companion Peter Pears when the two left England in 1938 in objection to the war, and the ongoing commentary from Peter Pears who knew and understood Britten better than anyone, Palmer allows us to appreciate how a man from the middle class in England rose to the heights of celebrity that were usually the domain of the aristocracy. Britten's stage fright, inferiority complex, chronic heart disease, work habits, and artistic convictions take on new meaning. Britten's compositions are sampled throughout this film: early films scores for such propaganda movies as 'The Way to the Sea' with script by his close friend WH Auden will be revelations to most the operas which began with the little work 'Paul Bunyan' and then soared to success with 'Peter Grimes', 'Billy Budd', 'The Rape of Lucretia' and 'Death in Venice' each of which is offered in performance by photos of original productions as well as scenes from later performances the little known Church Parables such as 'Curlew River' and 'The Burning Fiery Furnace' written for the public to be performed by amateurs in churches and song cycles and cantatas such as 'Phaedra' (exquisitely sung by Janet Baker for whom it was written), 'Les Illuminations', 'Nocturnes' and 'A Time There Was'. Though Palmer is under time constraints to limit the output of Britten he does dwell on his accomplishments such as the creation of the Maltings Snape School for Music in Aldeburgh, his still popular Aldeburgh Festival, and his commitment to the introduction of music for children. One leaves the film longing for more scenes from works such as 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', 'Turn of the Screw', 'Albert Herring', 'Gloriana', the enormously powerful 'War Requiem', the big choral works such as 'Spring Symphony' and the smaller choral works that are staples in choral literature. But we do get to visit Bali with him and see his fascination with the gamelan and Balinese instruments that influenced his writing subsequent to his visit, and we also are shown the places where he composed and have the privilege of watching him conduct his own works in rehearsal. Some of the last footage of the film is his final visit to his beloved Venice, leaning out of his balcony with his nurse to hear the bells and sounds of Venice and the sea and then segue into the awakening scenes and final death scene from 'Death in Venice' with Pears as von Aschenbach discovering his true longings for Tadzio. It summarizes so much of Britten's life and gift to humanity, and it is a moment so touching that time stops. This DVD...

This review was written about the DVD Wide Screen / Black & White edition.