Benjamin Britten

This work was originally written in 1964 for two 12 year old twin brothers whom Britten met whilst working in Budapest. Each twin played the piano and one the flute and the other the violin. A second version has been prepared for those who may not be quite so versatile as the twins for whom it was originally intended and includes a version for four players with extra ad lib. passages for the Flute and Violin so they should not become bored by the long waits. This edition combines both versions with the additional passages in brackets and in small type in the score.

Orpheus Brittanicus contains thirteen exemplary songs for High Voice with Piano accompaniment by the master of English Baroque Henry Purcell. These have been carefully arranged with the figured bass parts realised by Benjamin Britten and the vocal parts edited by Peter Pears.

piano accompaniment for rehearsal only-Britten's wonderful flower songs arranged here for mixed chorus (SATB) with Piano accompaniment provided for rehearsal purposes.

A Simple and effective setting of a poem by Thomas Hardy mostly in unison with some elementary two-part singing. Ideal for a school choir.

Ein Kranz von Lobechören-This is an unusual setting for treble voices and harp. The words of the carols are largely the product of mostly anonymous 15th and 16th century writers. They retain their originality by Britten's extensive use of old English language. The work opens and ends with the choir processing to plainsong and the sections in-between deal with the traditional stories surrounding the birth of Christ.

The Chester Miracle Play-The complete Vocal Score for Benjamn Britten's rousing and triumphant Opus 59 a magnificent setting of the Chester miracle play and bible story Noye's Fludde. It is suitable for children and school shows though more accomplished players may be needed to play some of the instruments and adults for a number of the speaking parts. This Vocal score edition contains the full lyrics background and extensive notes in English and German.

These Christmas carols by Britten have become contemporary classics. The serene Sweet Was The Song contrasts with a moving lament on the hardships of Christmas  A Wealden Trio (both of which are unaccompanied but which have in this edition a piano reduction for rehearsal purposes)  and a memorable setting of Hardy's fine poem The Oxen (accompanied). The Choral Programme Series is now a well-esatablished programming tool for many choirs as it offers a wealth of fresh material from many eras and in many styles. 

This fantastic book contains 3 complete suites from Opus numbers 72 80 and 87. Each suite has background information written by Benjamin Britten for a more authentic performance.

A Hymn To The Virginfor unaccompanied chorus is one of Benjamin Britten's earliest works. It is in fact one of the earliest surviving pieces of church music written by the composer. The piece was first performed at a concert given by the Lowestoft Musical Society in St. John's Church on January 5 1931. The anonymous text was taken out of the Oxford Book of English Verse. This piece is written for unaccompanied SATB.

Written for the reconsecration of Coventry Cathedral Benjamin Britten's War Requiem Op.66 was first performed there on the 30th May 1962. The War Requiem was not meant to be a pro-British piece or a glorification of British soldiers but a public statement of Britten's anti-war convictions. This a Vocal Score for SATB chorus arranged by Imogen Holst. The full score for SATB and Orchestra can be found here .

Choral Dances-Choral Dances from Act II of Benjamin Britten's opera Gloriana op. 53. Queen Elizabeth I is on a state visit to the city of Norwich. After a formal address of welcome she is entertained by a Masque. To these unaccompanied Choral Dances dancers representing time and concord country girls and young rustics and fishermen all pay homage and tribute to the Queen. Six movements are featured for mixed choir with piano accompaniment for rehearsal only.

(Notturno)-One of only a few Piano Solos composed by Britten written as a test piece for the very first Leeds Piano Competition. It is a moody disturbed nocturn and seems deceptively simple but the skill is in the nuances of touch and rhythm to evoke the sense of dark and foreboding.

The choral score for Britten's famous War Requiem. Please Note: This product contains only the choral parts.