Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Antiphon

Compose Date

:

1956

Average_duration

:

5:38

Antiphon, Op. 56b is a choral work composed by Benjamin Britten in 1956. It was premiered on July 1, 1956, at the Aldeburgh Festival in Suffolk, England. The piece is divided into two movements, with a total duration of approximately six minutes. The first movement of Antiphon is marked "Moderato maestoso" and is written for unaccompanied choir. The text is taken from a poem by George Peele, which describes the beauty of the natural world and the glory of God's creation. Britten's setting of the text is characterized by rich harmonies and a sense of grandeur, with the choir singing in unison and then dividing into multiple parts. The second movement of Antiphon is marked "Allegretto con moto" and is written for choir and organ. The text is taken from the Book of Common Prayer and is a prayer for protection and guidance. Britten's setting of the text is more subdued than the first movement, with the choir singing in a gentle, flowing manner. The organ provides a subtle accompaniment, adding to the sense of reverence and contemplation. Overall, Antiphon is a beautiful and contemplative work that showcases Britten's skill as a composer of choral music. The piece is characterized by rich harmonies, a sense of grandeur, and a reverence for the natural world and the divine. It remains a popular work in the choral repertoire and is frequently performed by choirs around the world.

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