Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Suite

Compose Date

:

1966

Average_duration

:

14:41

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Benjamin Britten's 'Suite on English folk tunes, Op. 90' is a composition for chamber orchestra that was completed in 1946. The piece was premiered on August 14, 1946, at the Aldeburgh Festival in Suffolk, England, with Britten conducting the English Chamber Orchestra. The suite consists of five movements, each based on a different English folk tune. The first movement, "Cakes and Ale," is a lively and playful dance based on the tune of the same name. The second movement, "The Bitter Withy," is a hauntingly beautiful piece based on a traditional ballad about a woman who is turned into a willow tree by her cruel husband. The third movement, "Hankin Booby," is a lively and humorous dance based on a traditional tune about a foolish man who is tricked by a group of women. The fourth movement, "Hunt the Squirrel," is a fast and energetic dance based on a popular English folk tune. The final movement, "Lord Melbourne," is a stately and majestic piece based on a tune that was popular in the 18th century. One of the most notable characteristics of the 'Suite on English folk tunes' is Britten's use of orchestration. He employs a wide range of instruments, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion, to create a rich and varied sound. Britten also incorporates elements of English folk music into the composition, such as modal harmonies and irregular rhythms, which give the piece a distinctly English flavor. Overall, the 'Suite on English folk tunes, Op. 90' is a charming and delightful work that showcases Britten's skill as a composer and his love for English folk music. Its premiere at the Aldeburgh Festival was a great success, and the piece has since become a beloved part of the chamber orchestra repertoire.

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