Benjamin Britten: A Life in the Twentieth Century by Paul Kildea is the definitive biography of Britain's greatest modern composer. Benjamin Britten is one of the most important composers of the 20th century, who created a new, modern, and European form for British music. Paul Kildea's biography is acknowledged as the definitive and comprehensive account of Britten's extraordinary life, exploring his deeply rooted and controversial pacifism, his complex forty-year relationship with Peter Pears, as well as the creation of an artistic community in Aldeburgh. Above all, this book helps us to understand the relationship of Britten's music to his life, introducing us to his unique alchemy.

PAUL KILDEA is an author and conductor who has performed many of Britten's works in opera houses and concert halls from Australia to Hamburg. His previous works include Selling Britten (2002) and (as editor) Britten on Music (2003). He was head of music at the Aldeburgh Festival from 1999 to 2002 and then artistic director of Wigmore Hall in London, and he lives in Berlin.

"It must rank as the benchmark work" Financial Times

"Essential ... An excellent and very readable narrative and the most comprehensive to date on the life and works of one of the great musical figures of the 20th century" Barry Millington, Evening Standard

"A wise, careful, provocative book ... Kildea's verbal explorations of music are delivered with calm sensibility lightened by a rare sense of enjoyment" Alexandra Harris, New Statesman

Pages: 720, Dimensions: 12.9x12.9cm