Michael Hurd. The ill-fated friendship between Henry Plantagenet and Thomas Beckett forms the basis of this ballad cantata on one of the momentous clashes between church and state in English history. With his customary melodic skill and literary clarity Hurd provides a very direct and immediately appealing account of the events which is designed to provide a starting point for further creativity in primary and middle schools.Performable as a concert or stage piece the cantata can provide the basis for original work in art design dance drama history environmental and English literary studies.Duration: 21 minutes. Scored for narrator unison voices and piano for performance as either concert or stage piece. Woodwind and String parts on hire.