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'
-
Composition date:
1949 - jun 1949
- Type
- Vocal music and instrument(s) [3 solo voices or more, choir(s) and 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)