Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1935

Average_duration

:

22:22

Movement_count

:

12

Movement ....

Friday Afternoons, Children's Songs (12), Op. 7 is a collection of twelve songs composed by Benjamin Britten in 1935. The songs were written for the boys of Clive House Preparatory School in Prestatyn, North Wales, where Britten's brother, Robert, was a teacher. The songs were intended to be sung by the boys during their Friday afternoon music lessons. The premiere of Friday Afternoons took place on November 22, 1935, at Clive House School. The songs were performed by the boys of the school, with Britten accompanying on the piano. The premiere was a great success, and the songs were later published by Boosey & Hawkes. The twelve songs in Friday Afternoons are: 1. Begone, dull care! 2. A tragic story 3. Cuckoo! 4. Ee-oh! 5. A New Year Carol 6. I mun be married on Sunday 7. There was a man of Newington 8. Fishing song 9. The useful plough 10. Jazz-Man 11. There was a monkey 12. Old Abram Brown The songs in Friday Afternoons are characterized by their simplicity and accessibility. Britten wrote the songs with the intention of making them easy for children to sing, but also with the aim of creating music that was musically interesting and engaging. The songs are written in a variety of styles, from folk-inspired melodies to jazzy rhythms. The lyrics of the songs are also notable for their wit and humor. Britten chose texts that would appeal to children, but also included elements of satire and social commentary. For example, "The useful plough" is a song about the importance of agriculture, while "Jazz-Man" pokes fun at the popular music of the time. Overall, Friday Afternoons, Children's Songs (12), Op. 7 is a charming and delightful collection of songs that has become a beloved part of the choral repertoire. The songs continue to be performed by children's choirs around the world, and their enduring popularity is a testament to Britten's skill as a composer and his ability to connect with young audiences.

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