Britten Thematic Catalogue

Beta Version

BTC917 HYMN TO ST CECILIA

For 5-part chorus (SSATB) with solos, unaccompanied, op. 27

Opus number originally assigned to An occasional overture (An American overture) (Oct 1941).

Subtitle: For 5-part chorus (SSATB) with solos, unaccompanied
Other titles: Song for St Cecilia

Title on the composition draft.

Period of composition: ca. Jul 1941 - 2 Apr 1942
Date notes

Auden wrote the first draft of his poem in the early summer of 1940 and worked on its revision with Britten in August-September, but it is unlikely that any music was composed before the summer of 1941.

Revised: 1966
First performance: 22 Nov 1942 >>
Type of performance: Radio broadcast
Location: BBC Home Service (pre-recorded on 17 November 1942)
Performance details:

BBC Singers, Leslie Woodgate cond

Genre: Choral (unaccompanied)
Text: W.H. Auden (1907-1973)
Duration: 12'
Dedication: 'To Elizabeth Mayer'

Elizabeth Mayer (1884-1970), daughter of the Chaplain to the court of the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg, and husband of Dr William Meyer, the Medical Director of the Long Island Home where Britten and Pears stayed during their time in the USA.

Notes

During the summer of 1941 a performance by the Elizabethan Singers, a vocal quintet including Peter Pears, was contemplated, and the first edition and early printings of the second edition have notes by the composer indicating that the work may be performed by such an ensemble.

Britten had thought of setting a text based on St Cecilia in January 1935 (mentioning the subject on 19 and 25 January) but was unable to find a suitable text.

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