Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Spring Symphony (1949)

for soprano, contralto and tenor solo, mixed choir, children's choir and orchestra

  • General information
    • Composition date: 1949 - jun 1949
    • Duration: 45 mn
    • Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes
    • Opus: 44
    • Dedication: 'For Serge Koussevitsky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra'
Detailed formation
  • soloists: 1 solo soprano, 1 solo contralto, 1 solo tenor
  • mixed choir, children's choir
  • 3 flutes, 3 oboes, 3 clarinets, 3 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 tuba, 4 percussionists, 1 timpani, 1 other accessory [cow horn] , 2 harp, strings

Premiere information

  • Date: 9 July 1949
    Location:

    Amsterdam, Holland Festival


    Performers:

    Jo Vincent, Kathleen Ferrier, Peter Pears, le chœur de la Radio Dutch et le Concertgebouw Orchestra, direction : Eduard van Beinum.

Table of contents

  • Part I. Introduction (Anon. XVIe siècle) ; The Merry Cuckoo (Spenser) ; Spring (Nashe) ; The Driving Boy (George Peele - John Clare) ; The Morning Star (Milton)
  • Part II. Welcome, Maids Of Honour (Herrick) ; Waters above (Vaughan) ; Out on the Lawn (Auden)
  • Part III. When will my May come (Barnefield) ; Fair and Fair (George Peele) ; Sound the Flute (Blake)
  • Part IV. Finale: London, to thee I do present (Beaumont and Fletcher)