Category Archives: Songs

Listening to Britten – Hadrian’s Wall: Roman Wall Blues

Posted on September 4, 2014 by goodmorningbritten

Britten and Auden, an image used by NMC for their free download of Roman Wall Blues Hadrian’s Wall – Incidental music for male voice, chorus, percussion and string quartet (12 – 16 November 1937, Britten aged 23) Approximately fifteen numbers, … Continue reading →

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Listening to Britten – Oh Take Those Lips Away

Posted on July 9, 2014 by goodmorningbritten

Belle Vue Park and Yarmouth Road area, Lowestoft, 1926 – image courtesy of the Britain From Above website Oh Take Those Lips Away – song for voice and piano (12 November 1926, Britten aged 12) Text William Shakespeare Language English … Continue reading →

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Listening to Britten – Phaedra, Op.93

Posted on March 2, 2014 by goodmorningbritten

Phaedra by Alexandre Cabanel (1880). Image used courtesy of Wikipedia Phaedra, Op.93 – Dramatic cantata for mezzo-soprano and small orchestra (July – 12 August 1975, Britten aged 61) Dedication for Janet Baker Text Robert Lowell, after Phèdre by Jean Racine … Continue reading →

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Listening to Britten – A Birthday Hansel, Op.92

Posted on February 17, 2014 by goodmorningbritten

Painting (c) Brian Hogwood A Birthday Hansel, Op.92 – for high voice and harp (21 March 1975, Britten aged 61) 1 Birthday song 2 My early walk 3 Wee Willie Gray 4 My hoggie 5 Afton water 6 The winter … Continue reading →

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Listening to Britten – Sacred and Profane, Op.91

Posted on February 13, 2014 by goodmorningbritten

Detail of painting (c) Brian Hogwood Sacred and Profane, Op.91 – Eight medieval lyrics for unaccompanied voices (SSATB) (December 1974 – January 1975, Britten aged 61) 1 St Godrick’s hymn (mid 12th century) 2 I mon waxe wod (later 13th … Continue reading →

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Listening to Britten – Canticle V: The Death of Saint Narcissus, Op.89

Posted on February 6, 2014 by goodmorningbritten

Ruined Chapel, Isle of Mull, 1975 by John Piper. (c) The Piper Estate. Image used courtesy of Tate Canticle V: The Death of Saint Narcissus, Op.89 – for tenor and harp (12-22 January 1971, Britten aged 57) Dedication In loving … Continue reading →

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Listening to Britten – Canticle IV: Journey of the Magi, Op.86

Posted on January 14, 2014 by goodmorningbritten

The Tower of Fawley Church, Bucks, 1970 by John Piper. (c) The Piper Estate. Image used courtesy of the BBC Canticle IV: Journey of the Magi, Op.86 – for countertenor, tenor, baritone and piano (12-22 January 1971, Britten aged 57) … Continue reading →

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Listening to Britten – Who are these children?, Op.84

Posted on January 12, 2014 by goodmorningbritten

Painting (c) Brian Hogwood Who are these Children?, Op.84 – Lyrics, rhymes and riddles by William Soutar for tenor and piano (Spring – Summer 1969, Britten aged 55) 1 A riddle 2 A laddie’s sang 3 Nightmare 4 Black day … Continue reading →

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Listening to Britten – A Children’s Crusade, Op.82

Posted on January 10, 2014 by goodmorningbritten

The Save The Children logo A Children’s Crusade, Op.82 – a ballad for children’s voices and orchestra (a large array of percussion, two pianos and electronic or chamber organ) (January 1969, Britten aged 53) Dedication To Hans Werner Henze Also, … Continue reading →

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Listening to Britten – Tit for Tat

Posted on January 10, 2014 by goodmorningbritten

Painting (c) Brian Hogwood Tit for Tat – a collection of five revised songs, for voice and piano (originals from June 1928 – January 1931, all revised Summer 1968, Britten aged 54) 1 A Song of Enchantment 2 Autumn 3 … Continue reading →

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