Already a friend of the composer Aaron Copland, Britten encountered his latest works Billy the Kid and An Outdoor Overture, both of which influenced his own music. In 1940 Britten composed Seven Sonnets of Michelangelo, the first of many song cycles for Pears. Britten's orchestral works from this period include the Violin Concerto, Sinfonia da Requiem, and An American Overture. In 1941 Britten produced his first music drama, Paul Bunyan, an operetta, to a libretto by Auden. While in the US, Britten had his first encounter with Balinese gamelan music, through transcriptions for piano duo made by the Canadian composer Colin McPhee. The two met in the summer of 1939 and subsequently performed a number of McPhee's transcriptions for a recording. This musical encounter bore fruit in several Balinese-inspired works later in Britten's career.
already a friend of the composer aaron copland britten encountered his latest works billy the kid and an outdoor overture both of which influenced his own music in 1940 britten composed seven sonnets of michelangelo the first of many song cycles for pears britten's orchestral works from this period include the violin concerto sinfonia da requiem and an american overture in 1941 britten produced his first music drama paul bunyan an operetta to a libretto by auden while in the us britten had his first encounter with balinese gamelan music through transcriptions for piano duo made by the canadian composer colin mcphee the two met in the summer of 1939 and subsequently performed a number of mcphee's transcriptions for a recording this musical encounter bore fruit in several balinese-inspired works later in britten's career