Benjamin Britten - The Old Lute

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Of cord and cassia-wood
Is the lute compounded;
Within it lie ancient melodies
Ancient melodies weak and savourless
Not appealing to present men’s taste
Light and colour are faded
From the jade stops;
Dust has covered the rose-red strings
Decay and ruin came to it long ago
But the sound that is left
Is still cold and clear
I do not refuse to play it, if you want me to;
But even if I play people will not listen
How did it come to be neglеcted so?
Because of thе Ch’iang flute
And the zithern of Ch’in

Release Date: January 01, 1957

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The meaning of the song

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The Old Lute by Benjamin Britten is a haunting and melancholic piece that reflects on the beauty and tragedy of a neglected musical instrument. The lute, made of cord and cassia-wood, holds within it ancient melodies that are no longer appreciated by modern audiences. The light and color have faded, the jade stops are covered in dust, and the rose-red strings have decayed. Despite its state of disrepair, the sound that emanates from the lute is still cold and clear. The narrator is willing to play the lute, but doubts that anyone will listen. The neglect of the lute is attributed to the popularity of other instruments, such as the Ch’iang flute and the zithern of Ch’in. The song evokes a sense of nostalgia and loss, as well as a longing for the beauty of the past to be appreciated once again.

Biography

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Benjamin Britten, born in 1913 in Suffolk, England, was a renowned composer of the 20th century, particularly known for his operas. He began his musical education at an early age and went on to study at the prestigious Royal College of Music. It was during his time at the college that he fell into the circle of poet W.H. Auden, who would become a significant influence on his work.

Although Britten left Auden's circle after a few years, he met the tenor Peter Pears, who would not only become his greatest musical interpreter but also his personal partner until Britten's death. The two collaborated on many projects together, with Pears often performing in Britten's operas and other compositions.

During World War II, Britten spent some time in America, where he continued to compose and gain recognition for his work. However, it was in 1945 that he truly leapt to prominence with the premiere of his opera Peter Grimes, which was met with critical acclaim.

Throughout his career, Britten continued to compose operas, including Albert Herring, Billy Budd, The Turn of the Screw, and Death in Venice, all of which solidified his reputation as one of the greatest opera composers of his time. In addition to his operatic works, Britten also wrote music for other venues, with notable successes including the Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings; the Variations on a Theme by Frank Bridge; the Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra; and the War Requiem.

In recognition of his contributions to music, Britten was awarded a life peerage by the British crown shortly before his death in 1976. His legacy continues to live on through his timeless compositions, which are still performed and celebrated by musicians and audiences around the world.