Around Britten is an extensive tour of events by Matthew Barley that pays homage to Benjamin Britten’s creativity and innovation, taking his music to a kaleidoscope of venues far and wide around the UK — not just in concert halls — to celebrate Britten’s centenary and to show that his music really is for everyone.
Watch the Around Britten video
Released on Signum Classics, the recording includes Benjamin Britten’s Third Suite for Cello and works by Gavin Bryars and Sir John Tavener. New works performed on the tour from composers James MacMillan, Dai Fujikura and Jan Bang will be added to the iTunes version throughout the year.
Confirmed Around Britten tour dates
As well as concerts in conventional concert halls, Matthew will play in a kaleidoscope of venues throughout the country from cathedrals, concert halls and castles to a lighthouse in Kent, a barn in Colchester and a cave in Derbyshire. There will also be many outreach events, including cello masterclasses, creative music projects in schools, workshops in prisons and special schools, and performances in a children’s hospice. Full details can be found on the tour dates and tour map.
Latest Around Britten news
Keep in touch by following Matthew’s #AroundBritten tour on Twitter @matthewmbarley
Please keep the donations coming!
Matthew is raising money for an exciting part of the tour: the amazing, oil-paint-on-glass 22′ Stop-Frame animation created by Yeast Culture. Click here for how you can make a donation.
Britten crowd-funding opportunity
Matthew has launched a crowd-funding opportunity for a giant Britten tour for next year that could see your name on a screen at the end of my concert – 50 times around the UK!