Ceremony of Carols op 28, Benjamin Britten - SSA and Harp - Vocal/Piano Score

Britten's A Ceremony of Carols is one of the most popular choral pieces for Christmas time. It is a collection of 13 Christmas Carols arranged for treble voices in three parts and harp or piano. Text in English with a German edition by Herberth E. Herlitschka. Preface by Philip Reed.

Repertoire Note  
Choral level of difficulty: Level 3 (5 greatest)

The Ceremony of Carols is one of Brittens best-known and most-performed works. It is a brilliantly conceived and dramatic concert work which sees the voices process to their places singing unaccompanied plainsong and, at the end, processing out again to the same chant. These movements can also be accompanied but strictly only if the voices do not process. The final Alleluia can be repeated as many times as necessary to get the singers to and from their destination.

The carols are for three-part childrens voices (though, of course they can be sung by female adults as well) and they form a two-part work around a central Interlude for harp which is based on the plainsong from the Procession. Variety is the key word here as all the carols have such individual identities. The forthright Wolcum Yole!, the deliciously lyrical There is no Rose, the swinging Balulalow, the fiery and dramatic This little Babe all contribute to a work which is a feast of discovery throughout. Lovely solos and duos add further colour and the harp part, an inspired choice of accompaniment, enriches, colours and surrounds the voices with its pictorial musical imagery. If anything shows Brittens genius for writing for voices it must be this work.

The challenges here are in creating a real equality between voice parts, fielding a confident pair of soloists, and making the most of the wonderfully colourful poems Britten has chosen to set. Pronunciation is not really an issue, but when I recorded this work with the Finzi Singers I decided to follow the example of Sacred and Profane and use authentic medieval pronunciation for which an expert coach was necessary. It brings an added element of colour to a familiar aural experience.

A Ceremony of Carols, op. 28 - Ein Kranz von Lobechören

Vocal/Piano score - KA - children's choir (women's choir) (SSA) and harp (piano) - English - German
German edition: Herlitschka, Herberth Egon
composer: Britten, Benjamin
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes, London
ISMN: 979-0-060-01410-9
Client Number: BHI 5400050
Difficulty: 8
Pages: 64
  
One of the most widely performed of 20th century British composers, renowned particularly for his operas, vocal and choral music. Britten's choral works include Rejoice in the Lamb, Hymn to St Cecilia and A Ceremony of Carols.
Content
  - As Dew in Aprille
  - Balulalow
  - Deo Gracias
  - In Freezing Winter Night
  - Interlude for Harp
  - Procession
  - Recession
  - Spring Carol
  - There is no Rose
  - This little babe
  - Wolcum Yule

Year of Composition: 1942
Year of Publication: 2000
Duration: 00:23:00
Pages: 64
Size & Presentation: Manuscript book stapled; 18,5 x 26
Period: Modern 1910-1975
Composer Nationality: British, English
Languages: English
Genre: Christmas: Carols
Forces: Accompaniment: Unaccompanied; Choral: Upper SA
Format: Choral score; Collection