Composer

:

Benjamin Britten

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1938

Average_duration

:

41:09

The World of the Spirit is a choral work composed by Benjamin Britten in 1938. It was premiered on 5th October 1938 at the Norwich Festival. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different text. The first movement is based on a poem by Francis Thompson, the second on a text from the Bible, and the third on a poem by Wilfred Owen. The first movement, titled "The World of the Spirit," is a setting of Thompson's poem of the same name. The music is characterized by a sense of mystery and wonder, with the choir singing in unison and the organ providing a rich harmonic backdrop. The second movement, "The Holy Spirit," is based on a text from the Bible and is more upbeat and celebratory in nature. The choir sings in harmony, with the organ providing a lively accompaniment. The final movement, "The World of the Flesh," is a setting of Owen's poem "The Parable of the Old Man and the Young." The music is somber and reflective, with the choir singing in a mournful tone. The organ provides a sparse accompaniment, with occasional bursts of dissonance adding to the sense of unease. Overall, The World of the Spirit is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Britten's skill as a composer. The piece is notable for its use of choral harmony and organ accompaniment, as well as its exploration of themes related to spirituality and the human condition.

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