Britten Thematic Catalogue

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BTC1164 CHRISTMAS PIECE (unfinished)

For soloists (SATB), choirs and orchestra
Subtitle: For soloists (SATB), choirs and orchestra
Other titles: A Christmas sequence

Published title: the volume includes an introduction and the complete texts chosen by Britten for this work. See A Christmas sequence chosen by Benjamin Britten from the Chester Mystery Cycle, introduction by Andrew Plant, images by Angela Lemaire (Llandago, Monmouthshire: The Old Stile Press, 2008).

Period of composition: 1974 - 1975
Date notes

Britten mentions the planning of this work (described as 'our Xmas piece') in a letter to Donald and Kathleen Mitchell, postmarked 29 Apr 1974. One of the typescript libretto drafts is dated Oct 1974, and there exists a small fragment of musical material marked 'Xmas piece' in a sketchbook from around Jul 1975.

Genre: Stage work
Text: Chester miracle play
Performing forces:

Principals: Gabriel ten, Joseph bass, Mary sop, Herod bar, 3 shepherds ten, bar, 3 magi bar, bass, 2 midwives (Tebella and Salome) mez, 3 knights (Waradrake, Grimbalde and Launcher) ten, bass, friend mez, the devil bar, 2 women sop, alto

Chorus: Angels (SSA), citizens (SATB), soldiers (TB), mothers (SA), magi court

Orchestra: ww (inc recorders) - brass - perc - str

Notes

Intended as a work for Pimlico School, where Kathleen Mitchell (friend of the composer) was headmistress. Texts were chosen from the Chester miracle plays, along with traditional and plainsong tunes, and a cast list drawn up. There exists only a small fragment of musical material, and the work was never completed.

All content copyright (C) Britten-Pears Foundation 2012 unless stated. Please note all BTC numbers are provisional at this stage.