Benjamin Britten and Chamber Music: Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 65

This book provides a historical study of Britten s Sonata in C for Cello and Piano (1961), including an analysis of the work. Chapter I discusses three important subjects: the impact on the sonata of the relationship between Britten and his dedicatee, Rostropovich; the work s standing in the context of the composer s entire oeuvre; and its reception. The sonata is examined in particular within the context of Britten s instrumental chamber-music compositions and string-writing background, which reveal his deep knowledge of and affection for the chamber-music medium. In addition, this book discusses the significance of Britten s selection of the piano for the accompanying part, which displays the composer s mastery of piano as a professional pianist. Chapter II includes an analysis that is divided in five sections: (i) the tonal and harmonic organization, (ii) the motivic organization, (iii) the formal and structural organization, (iv) the relationship between the cello and the piano, and (v) the conclusion. The analysis demonstrates Britten s remarkable compositional techniques of unity and reveals the work as a prime example of his mastery in the chamber-music genre.