Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1965

Average_duration

:

1:38

"King Herod and the Cock" is a composition by Benjamin Britten, which was composed in 1942. The piece was premiered on December 4, 1942, at the Wigmore Hall in London, with Britten himself at the piano and Peter Pears as the tenor soloist. The composition is a setting of a medieval English poem, which tells the story of King Herod's attempt to kill the infant Jesus. In the poem, Herod is tormented by a cock that crows three times, reminding him of his guilt. The piece is divided into three movements, each corresponding to one of the cock's crowings. The first movement is marked "Allegro con spirito" and begins with a lively piano introduction. The tenor enters with the first verse of the poem, singing in a declamatory style. The music is characterized by its rhythmic energy and angular melodies, which convey the urgency of the story. The second movement is marked "Andante tranquillo" and is more reflective in character. The piano plays a gentle, rocking accompaniment while the tenor sings of the cock's second crowing. The music is marked by its lyrical beauty and expressive phrasing. The final movement is marked "Allegro molto" and is the most dramatic of the three. The piano plays a frenzied, virtuosic accompaniment while the tenor sings of the cock's third and final crowing. The music is characterized by its dissonant harmonies and jagged rhythms, which convey the horror and violence of Herod's actions. Overall, "King Herod and the Cock" is a powerful and evocative composition that showcases Britten's skill as a composer and his ability to convey complex emotions through music. Its use of medieval poetry and its dramatic storytelling make it a unique and compelling work in Britten's oeuvre.

More....