SKU: HL.48021234

ISBN 9781458423542. UPC: 884088642037. 6.75x10.5 inches.

Text: in Latin compiled from the charter of the University, and from older orations in praise of Basle by Bernhard Wyss.

Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes

Difficulty level: 4 (for chorus)

Britten's genius lifts this work above being just a worthy celebration of the 500th anniversary of the foundation of Basle University. It is tongue-in-cheek and mockingly non-academic while referring all the time to academic musical forms and formulae. It is written in two parts (everything is in the statutory Latin including the titles of the parts - Pars I and Pars II). The titles of the movements show Britten's intention to show off a wide variety of techniques. Here are some examples: Chorale/Alla Rovescio (the theme is given and responded to with the same melody upside down)/Recitativo/Tema seriale con fuga/Canone ed ostinato. There is a good deal of humour here.

There are seven movements in Pars I and six in Pars II. The tenor soloist is given three florid recitatives, accompanied only by a piano, which act as bridges between other orchestrally accompanied movements. Of these the most noteworthy are the Arioso con canto popolare for soprano solo with tenors and basses who hum a student song; another terrific Britten scherzo; and a wonderfully raucous final pair of movements (Canon ed ostinato and Corale con canto) where Britten seems to be aping the Vivat Regina! cries in Parry's I was glad or encouraging the kind of noisy 'I'm from the best university' kind of student touchline shout. This has outrageously high notes for the tenors (top B) which further endorse this feeling. There are real echoes of the Spring Symphony (see separate entry) final movement here which are further underlined by the last section of the Cantata which brings in the bells, piano, huge percussion and the inevitable chorale in which the choir sings 'that a free academy may thrive in a free community, for ever the ornament and treasure of illustrious Basle'.

This may not be Britten at his most soul-searching but, as always, there is plenty here to enjoy, especially if the work is not taken too seriously. It is a celebratory, occasional piece and it could be well taken up by other academic establishments celebrating big anniversaries. The chorus parts are not very difficult, though they do present challenges for the choir - not least in having tenors capable of those very high notes at the end. The Tema seriale con fuga is sinewy and needs careful tuning. It also has the subject regularly given upside down after its initial sounding by the basses. All good fun.

Duration: 21 minutes

Paul Spicer, Lichfield, 2011.

SKU: HL.428623

ISBN 9781705163191. UPC: 196288063940. 6.75x10.5x0.19 inches.

This choral compilation brings together beloved carols and new seasonal lyrics with celebrated music from Bach, Handel, Mozart and others. As a collection, you can use this resource throughout Advent and Christmas, or use the optional narration to present the entire work as a cantata. A full line of support products is available to enable your performance options. Score and Parts (instrumentation varies by song) available as a digital download. For the Accompaniment Tracks: Audio is accessed online using the unique code generated upon purchase and can be streamed or downloaded. The audio files include PLAYBACK+, a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch, set loop points, change keys, and pan left or right. HL00428625: Accompaniment Tracks Songs include: Canon de Noel; Procession of Light; A Classic Advent Flourish; Advent Alleluia; Celebration for Advent; He Shall Feed His Flock; An Etude Carol; Christ Is Born! Let Earth and Heaven Rejoice; Adoramus Te; Christmas Jubilate.