SKU: HL.48021285

ISBN 9781458471598. UPC: 884088658458. 6.75x10.5 inches.

Text: Eric Crozier

Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes

Difficulty level: 3

Saint Nicolas (note the name has no 'H' in it!) was written for the centenary of Lancing College in Sussex, the independent secondary boarding school on the south coast of England which Peter Pears had attended in his teens. It has a vast chapel intended by its founder, Revd Nathaniel Woodard, as the cathedral for all the schools of his extensive foundation known collectively as 'Woodard' schools. St. Nicolas is famous for many legendary miracles and for being the original 'Santa Claus'. Crozier's libretto is designed to tell the story of his life, to recount some of his most celebrated acts and to give the audience/congregation the opportunity of joining in two beautiful hymns at key moments: 'All people that on earth do dwell' and 'God moves in a mysterious way his wonders to perform'. The narration is all done by the choir, though the tenor sings first-person narratives as well in his role as the mature Nicolas. The young Nicolas is sung by a boy in movement II. There is a dramatic moment at the end of this movement when the boy's voice does a tumble and the tenor proclaims in the voice of Nicolas as a young man: 'God be glorified'.

The third movement is an accompanied recitative in which the soloist sings of Nicolas devoting himself to God through the agonies and torment of the many distractions and temptations of life. His faith wins through and he sings a final touching phrase: 'and Love was satisfied'. The sea whips up a storm in the next movement: 'He journeys to Palestine'. It threatens to overturn the ship and drown everyone on board. There is wailing from the sopranos and altos of the semi-chorus and agonised calls from the tenors and basses to 'man the pumps'. Finally, Nicolas begs God to let the storm cease and offers thanks for their safe delivery. Britten creates a palpable sense of relief in the final pages.

In the fifth movement, 'Nicolas comes to Myra and is chosen Bishop', the choir sings chorale-like phrases welcoming him as their new Bishop. They go through his ceremonial dressing with all the accoutrements of his office, the mitre, crozier (nice pun on the librettist's name), robe and ring. An energetic chorus 'Serve the faith and spurn his enemies' leads to the first great hymn - a wonderfully climactic moment. Britten's arrangement is suitably uplifting.

The final movement tells of Nicolas' death and the work ends with the other great hymn: 'God moves in a mysterious way'.

This work demonstrates to me Britten's generosity of spirit and his natural feeling for enriching the repertoire at all levels of attainment. What a gift!

Duration: 50 minutes

Paul Spicer, Lichfield, 2011.

SKU: BT.DHP-1175798-140

English-German-French-Dutch.

If you are looking for a musical introduction with overwhelming energetic character, lots of rhythms and a pumping bass and drum part, this is the piece you are looking for. Sparks of Fire originated from a piece of music for pop band andstrings for the Belgian entertainment concept ‘Christiano and his Magical Orchestra’. Not many people sit still when listening to this energetic piece of music! It is perfect for opening or closing your concert.

Bent u op zoek naar een muzikale opening met een overweldigend energiek karakter, talrijke ritmes, een pompende bas en een drumpartij? Dan zal dit werk u zeker aanspreken! Sparks of Fire is ontstaan vanuit een stuk muziek voor popband enstrijkers dat werd gecreëerd voor het Belgische entertainmentconcept ‘Christiano and his Magical Orchestra’. Niet veel mensen kunnen stil blijven zitten als ze naar deze levendige muziek luisteren een ideaal werk om uw concert mee te beginnen of afte sluiten.

Falls Sie ein schwungvolles und mitreißendes musikalisches Eröffnungsstück suchen, das rhythmisch ist und eine pulsierende Bass- und Schlagzeugstimme hat, sind Sie bei diesem Stück genau richtig. Sparks of Fire geht auf ein Stück für Popbandund Streicher der belgischen Unterhaltungsmusikgruppe Christiano and his Magical Orchestra“ zurück. Wenn man dieses energiegeladene Stück hört, kann kaum jemand still sitzen bleiben! Es eignet sich bestens als Eröffnungs- oder Schlussstück einesKonzertes.

Si vous cherchez une introduction musicale au caractère énergique, aux rythmes entraînants et aux parties accentuées de basse et de batterie, vous l’avez trouvée ! Sparks of Fire est un titre du groupe pop et symphonique belge « Christiano andhis magical Orchestra ». Rares sont les gens qui arrivent rester assis en écoutant cette pièce de musique énergique ! Idéale pour ouvrir ou finir votre concert.

Se state cercando un brano di apertura dall’energia travolgente, molto ritmico, un basso energico e una parte per batteria, questo è il pezzo che fa per voi. Sparks of Fire ha origine da un pezzo scritto per banda pop e archi per l’ensemble belga “Christiano and his Magical Orchestra”. Non sono in molti ad essere riusciti a rimanere seduti ascoltando questo pezzo così pieno di energia! Perfetto per aprire o concludere il vostro concerto.