British music
 | Although its roots lie in folk, British classical music has drawn influences from all over Europe |
LIKE EVERY COUNTRY, Britain has its own folk music. In fact, it has several types. To begin with, there are songs from the different nations. Here’s an English one, ‘What shall we do with the drunken sailor?’…  … and a Scottish one, ‘Cae the Yowes’. There are ancient folk songs about country life, and more recent ones about the misery of working in factories. And there are political songs about great events, like this one, which was popular during the first world war. But Britain also has its own form of classical music. One of the earliest pieces of written-down secular music (ie not for church) is British. It’s a jolly song about summer: 'Sumer is icumen in' (or 'Summer is a-comin' in'). In the late 14th century, British composers were trend-setters in music. The most famous of them was John Dunstable. Here’s a clip from one of his songs. During the Renaissance, Britain produced some notable church music. Until around 1540 this was usually in Latin, but after the Church of England was established it was more often in English. Since the 17th century, British music has been largely dominated by one of the big three European traditions, French, German and Italian). The greatest home-grown composer of the 17th century was Henry Purcell. His music was influenced by French and Italian music – though it still sounds very English. Here’s one of his great tunes. The next great British composer was actually a German who settled in London. His name was Handel, and his most famous piece is the Hallelujah chorus from his great choral work, Messiah. After Handel’s heyday there came a long period during which Britain produced only minor composers. But a revival began in the 20th century with the music of Edward Elgar – though he was still much influenced by German composers. Here’s one of his famous patriotic pieces. After the second world war Britain’s best-known composer was Benjamin Britten. Here’s the beginning of one of his great orchestral pieces, Sinfonia da Requiem. Thanks to Benamin Britten and others, Britain has finally got rid of its inferiority complex about its own music. British composers are now among the best known in the world. Here’s a taste of one of them, from near the beginning of James MacMillan’s The Confession of Isobel Gowdie.
|
|
Like this? Send it to a friend
Also of Interest |
