Tag: Britten

Deo Gracias – Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

December 12, 2023

About a year ago, the members of Maggie’s Music Makers began working on four movements of Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carol’s”. This is challenging music, and they worked hard. During the 2022 Christmas services three of the chosen movements were ready to be sung. I have written about “This Little Babe” and “As Dew in Aprille” earlier this year. The third is “Deo Gracias”, which translates as “thanks be to God … More Deo Gracias – Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

As Dew in Aprille – Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

April 11, 2023

So often I have written that carols are not just for Christmas – and here is another example. “As Dew in Aprille” is from Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols”. During Lent we celebrate both Mothering Sunday and the Annunciation of Mary – when Gabriel visited Mary to ask if she would bear God’s son. This carol is very appropriate for both occasions. The text comes from a middle English lyric poem by an anonymous author … More As Dew in Aprille – Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

This Little Babe – Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

February 14, 2023

One of my favourite mantras used in these monthly articles that carols are not just for Christmas. They are also for Advent, Epiphany, Lent and Easter. I may be stretching a point, but this piece is here in January to represent the flight to Egypt, and the fragility of a new-born baby, sent to be God’s warrior … More This Little Babe – Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)