Britten Thematic Catalogue

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BTC1143 CHILDREN'S CRUSADE

A ballad for children's voices and orchestra, op. 82
Composition date: Jan 1969
Date notes

The composition draft is dated 10 Nov 1968, but it is not clear when Britten started the work.

First performance: 19 May 1969 >>
Type of performance: Church performance
Location: St Paul's Cathedral, London
Performance details:

Wandsworth School Boy's Choir and Orchestra, Russell Burgess cond

Genre: Choral
Text: Bertolt Brecht (set in German)
Performing forces:

Orchestra: 6 solo perc (small gong, bd, susp cymb, large cymb, small cymb, wb, trgl, sd, bator, 2 block, tamb, bells, td, xyl, scraper, gong, t-t) - tutti perc (divided into three categories which can include any number of the following instruments), tuned: t bells, xyl, vibr, glock, cel; rhythmic: sd, td, tabor, wb, tamb, castanets, rattle, trgl, susp cymb; clashed or ringing: clashed cymb, trgl, gong or t-t, anvil, cowbells, sleighbells) - 2 pf, chamber or electronic org

The composer's note suggests two conductors: a principal conductor for the singers and a sub-conductor for the percussion band.

Duration: 19'
Dedication: 'To Hans Werner Henze' 'Written for the members of Wandsworth School Choir (director Russell Burgess) to perform on the 50th Anniversary of The Save The Children Fund at St. Paul's Cathedral, May 19t

Hans Werner Henze (b. 1926), German composer.

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