Studies On The Polyphonic Techniques Of Benjamin Britten

As one of the most influential British composer in the 20th century, Benjamin Britten's compositions have a high rate of performance and a large crowd of audience around the world. He is also a composer with the insistence on tonality, which has been paid long attention to both at home and abroad.Britten widely applied polyphonic techniques like Passacaglia and Fugue, and explored new counterpoint techniques based on new tonality and mode thinking on one hand and rhythm and beat thinking on the other hand, which shows his innovation on polyphonic techniques.Making Britten's polyphonic compositions as main research object, the dissertation could be divided into three parts:introduction, main body (section I and section II) and conclusion. Origin and methodology of dissertation, and life and composing experience of Britten are introduced in the introduction. Part I consists of two chapters about counterpoint techniques in Britten's compositions. The two chapters point out Britten's unique application of comprehensive mode counterpoint technique especially atonality and twelve-tone serial, and technique with rhythm and beat counterpoint which is to enrich polyphonic expression. Five chapters are involved in partâ…¡which is about polyphonic composing techniques and innovation of Britten. Chapter three studies Passacaglia's application and its innovation in Britten's operas, suites and cycles, pointing out that two-theme Passacaglia is Britten's innovation. Chapter four studies Ostinato polyphony techniques, their features and innovation in Britten's operas and instrumental compositions, pointing out their fruitful dramatic expression. Chapter five studies fugue's application and its features in various genres. Chapter seven studies complex polyphony techniques which are more innovative:polyphony form based on vertical combination of two polyphonic structures, and its nature of structure counterpoint and dramatic expression.The conclusion summarizes Britten's polyphonic techniques from three facets. First, multiply constitution of Britten's polyphony:his polyphonic techniques comprised polyphonic skills of the 20th century and traditional music. Second, the inheritance and innovation of Britten's polyphonic techniques. Third, expressive function of Britten's polyphonic techniques. The influence and practical benefits of the innovative application of Britten's polyphonic thinking and techniques are also discussed at the end of the dissertation.