Britten Thematic Catalogue

Beta Version

BTC861 JOHNSON OVER JORDAN

Theatre score
Composition date: Feb 1939
First performance: 22 Feb 1939 >>
Type of performance: Theatre performance
Location: New Theatre, St Martin's Lane, London
Performance details:

New Theatre Orchestra, Ernest Irving cond

Genre: Incidental music
Text: (of play and vocal numbers) J.B. Priestley (1894-1984)
Performing forces:

Sop - fl (=picc), ob (=ca), 3 cl in B flat and A (I=E flat cl, III=bass cl, alto sax), bn - 2 tpt in C, trbn - timp, perc (susp cymb, bd, t-t, Chinese blocks, sd, td, xyl, drum kit, military drum, trgl, bd and cymb, glock) - pf (=xyl, Chinese blocks), gui - str

Optional scoring ('The spider and the fly' movement): 2 alto sax (=cl in B flat), 2 ten sax (I=bass cl; II=cl in B flat), 3 tpt in B flat, 2 trbn, drum kit, pf, gui, vn, db

Duration: 33'

Music only

Notes

Most of Britten's contributions appear in Act I, and the other incidental music consists of orchestrations of various classical, popular and traditional pieces by the musical director of the first production, Ernest Irving. In the original programme Britten acknowledges 'Geraldo' in the orchestration of 'The spider and the fly' dance. The scene in question is set in a night club, hence the 'authentic' orchestration of the number.

Musical ideas employed in both the 'Entrance of examiners' (Act I no. 9) and the 'Incinerators' ballet' (Act I no. 19) were re-used by Britten in variation 3 of Diversions, op. 21.

Resources

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