George Sainton Kaye Butterworth, born on July 12, 1885, in London, was a prominent figure in the English classical music renaissance of the early 20th century. Butterworth's compositions, notably influenced by the folk song revival of his time, often evoke the pastoral landscapes and rich traditions of the English countryside, which he cherished throughout his short life.

Butterworth was educated at Eton and Oxford, where his passion for both music and dance flourished. He became closely associated with folk music, collecting songs, and dances, and was a companion to figures like Ralph Vaughan Williams. His own compositions are characterized by a lyrical, deeply expressive style, best exemplified in works such as "A Shropshire Lad" and "The Banks of Green Willow," both of which draw upon texts from A.E. Housman's poems and English folk tunes. The suite "A Shropshire Lad" is among Butterworth's most celebrated contributions to English music, encapsulating the bucolic beauty and underlying melancholy of rural life.

Tragically, Butterworth's promising career was cut short by World War I. He served as a lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery before being killed by a sniper at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. His music, though limited in quantity, has left a lasting impression as some of the most poignant and reflective of his era, embodying the Edwardian period's nostalgia and the profound sense of loss wrought by the Great War.

Genres

British Modern Classical

Early Modern Classical

Latest Release

Butterworth: A Shropshire Lad

George Butterworth

Single - Released October 11, 2023