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One of England’s prominent composers during the twentieth century was Edward Benjamin Britten. He was born the youngest of four children on November 22, 1913. His first exposure to music was most likely due to his mother, who was an amateur singer and the honorary secretary of the Lowestoft Choral Society. Britten’s father, Robert, was a successful dentist in his community. Besides Benjamin there were three other children in the house. Britten’s siblings all had some musical talent, but nothing like that of their little brother. Britten’s early surroundings seem important because these events can be heard in his music. His childhood home was built on the south end of town overlooking the sea.
The sound of that sea can often be heard in his music. It would be appropriate . . . to be able to say that it was the very first sound to reach his ears. Unfortunately it would not be true. The first conscious sound he heard was the sound of war. A bomb had fallen on the field just opposite, and he woke to the threatening roar of an explosion. Throughout his life he could remember the terror of that moment.

Britten’s childhood musical training was in the home. “As a child he heard little music outside his home, with the exception of the local choral society concerts, some occasional chamber music concerts, and the Norwich and Norfolk Triennial Festival.” The Britten’s social life also revolved around music. Mrs. Britten would frequently entertain guests with her musical skills. Britten’s father was not a musician, but he enjoyed listening to the singing and playing of his wife, children, and guests in his home. Robert Britten did not allow any sort of recorded music player in his house because he felt that it discouraged people from making their own music.
Music was an early love of the young Benjamin Britten. He began to compose music at the age of five. Britten described his earliest composition...