Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1967

Average_duration

:

2:59

"The Oxen" is a Christmas carol composed by Benjamin Britten in 1917. The piece was premiered on December 23, 1928, at St. Bartholomew's Church in London. The carol is based on a poem by Thomas Hardy, which tells the story of a Christmas Eve when the narrator hears the sound of oxen lowing in the fields, as if they were speaking to him. The poem ends with the narrator's wish that the story of the oxen's speech might be true, and that it might bring peace to the world. The carol is composed for four-part choir, with a simple and gentle melody that evokes the pastoral setting of the poem. The piece is in the key of G major, with a time signature of 3/4. The first verse is sung by the choir in unison, with a solo voice taking over for the second verse. The third verse is sung by the choir in harmony, with the melody moving between the different parts. The final verse returns to the unison choir, with a gentle and peaceful ending. The characteristics of "The Oxen" reflect Britten's interest in English folk music and his love of simple, direct melodies. The piece is notable for its use of modal harmonies, which give it a timeless and traditional feel. The melody is simple and memorable, with a gentle lilt that captures the pastoral setting of the poem. The piece is also notable for its use of dynamics, with the choir gradually building to a climax in the third verse before returning to a gentle and peaceful ending. Overall, "The Oxen" is a beautiful and evocative Christmas carol that captures the spirit of the season with its gentle melody and pastoral setting. Its simplicity and directness make it a timeless classic that continues to be performed and enjoyed by choirs and audiences around the world.

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