Some of Brittens' works:
  Ceremony of Carols (Op.28, 1942)
Undoubtably my most favourite of Britten's works. As a child I performed this piece six years in a row with the Christ
Church Cathedral Choir School in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. This three-part (SSA) setting of medieval
texts accompanied by harp is astounding in it's simplicity, yet tricky enough that most adults won't attempt it because
they get a mental block-- wondering if something sound right or not. Britten composed this work while returning from the US to England during the war on the MS Axel Johnson There are ten movements:
- Processional (Hodie Christus Natus Est)
A plainsong chant based on the Hodie antiphon from the Nativity
Vespers.
- Wolcom Yole!
A joyful welcome to the Yule season and a New Year.
- There is no Rose
A spectacular carol in the honour of the Virgin Mary. The rocking of the harp accompaniment
has a lulling effect under the legato melodies of the choir.
- That Yonge Childe
A soprano solo.
- Balulalow
Another rocking harp accompaniment, alternating between major and minor keys, floats along with
opening soprano solo, and finally the choir. The text pleads to Jesus to never depart from the faithful.
- As dew in Aprille
An exuberant carol to the matchless mother of Christ, the Virgin Mary.
- This little Babe
One of the Ceremony's jewels. The first verse introduces the melody, in the second the second
soprano and the alto parts are delayed by one beat creating an echo. The third verse contains another echo due to
the altos dealying yet another beat, for a double echo.
- Interlude Andante Pastorale
A peaceful harp solo, where Britten uses the sonority of the harp to create
masterfully sweeping melodies.
- In Freezing Winter Night
This piece actually sounds wintery, and you can almost see it snowing when you listen
to it.
- Spring Carol
A remarkable contrast to In Freezing Winter Night, this light, springy, duet tells of God's
perveance, and how we must thank Him.
- Adam Lay-i Bounden
A rousing setting of the story of the origianl sin. If Eve hadn't picked the apple, there would
be nothing. No Chirstmas, no love, no life.
- Recessional
Same as the processional.
- Hymn to St.Cecilia(Op.27, 1942)
This piece was also composed for the King's College Cambridge Choir while enroute home during World War II on the MS Axel Johnson.
- Rejoice in the Lamb(Op.30, 1942)
The last of the MS Axel Johnson pieces.
- A Hymn to the Virgin(1930 rev.1934)
A beautiful eight part/two choir piece with a small ensemble singing latin responses to the larger chorus' English lines. Britten combines the two groups for the third verse and the sonority of the twocreates a rich climax to the work. Britten wrote this at the age of 17 in a school sanatorium, he didn't have any staff paper so he used his notebook.
- The Birds(1929 rev.1934)
- War Requiem(Op.66, 1961)
- St.Nicholas Cantata(Op.42, 1948)
- Jubilate Deo(1961)
- Sweet was the Song the Virgin Sung(1931 rev.1966)
- Venite Exultemus Domino SATB & orga
- Corpus Christi Carol Unison
- Friday Afternoons (Op.7, 1933-1935)
- Begone, dull care! (1933)
- A tragic story (1933)
- Cuckoo! (1933)
- EE-oh! (1933)
- A new year carol (1934)
- I mun be married on Sunday (1933)
- There was a man of Newington (1933)
- Fishing Song (1935)
- The useful plough (1934)
- Jazz-man (1933)
- There was a monkey (1935)
- Old Adam Brown (1933)
- Sweet was the song (1931, rev 1966)
- King Herod and the cock (1962)
- The oxen (1967)
- Three Two-part Songs (1932)
- The Ride-by-nights
- The Rainbow
- The ship of Rio
- A Wealden Trio: Christmas song of the women (1929, rev 1967)
Links to other Britten pages
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