Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Cantata

Compose Date

:

1948

Average_duration

:

51:36

Movement_count

:

9

Movement ....

Saint Nicholas, Op. 42 is a cantata composed by Benjamin Britten in 1948. It was premiered on June 5, 1948, at the Aldeburgh Festival, with the composer conducting. The cantata is divided into nine movements and is scored for tenor soloist, mixed choir, four boy soloists, strings, piano, organ, and percussion. The cantata tells the story of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors, children, and travelers. The first movement, "Introduction," sets the scene with a solemn and mysterious opening, followed by a lively and rhythmic section that introduces the character of Saint Nicholas. The second movement, "The Birth of Nicholas," is a gentle and lyrical setting of the story of Nicholas's birth. The third movement, "Nicholas Devotes Himself to God," is a lively and energetic setting of the story of Nicholas's decision to become a monk. The fourth movement, "He Journeys to Palestine," is a dramatic and intense setting of the story of Nicholas's pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The fifth movement, "Nicholas and the Pickled Boys," is a humorous and playful setting of the story of Nicholas's rescue of three boys who had been pickled in a barrel by an evil butcher. The sixth movement, "The Death of Nicholas," is a solemn and mournful setting of the story of Nicholas's death. The seventh movement, "The Translation," is a joyful and celebratory setting of the story of Nicholas's relics being translated to Bari, Italy. The eighth movement, "The Miracle of Nicholas," is a dramatic and intense setting of the story of Nicholas's intervention in a storm at sea. The final movement, "Hymn," is a majestic and triumphant setting of a hymn to Saint Nicholas. The cantata is characterized by Britten's use of a wide range of musical styles, from the solemn and mysterious opening to the playful and humorous "Nicholas and the Pickled Boys" to the dramatic and intense "The Miracle of Nicholas." Overall, Saint Nicholas, Op. 42 is a powerful and moving work that showcases Britten's skill as a composer and his ability to tell a compelling story through music.

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