John Ireland, one of Britten's teachers at the Royal College of Music, threatened to resign if Britten was not awarded a scholarship, which was granted.
Composition History
Britten composed A Ceremony of Carols in 1942 while on a Swedish cargo vessel returning to England from America, using medieval poems found in a bookshop in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Composer Biography
Frank Bridge, another of Britten's teachers, profoundly influenced the young composer, who later recalled that Bridge taught him to take great care with every musical passage.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Britten was both a pragmatist and a perfectionist, stating, 'I want my music to be of use to people,' and his works were often rearranged by himself or others during his lifetime.
Critical Reception
A Ceremony of Carols was immensely popular upon its release, with the first published score in 1943 selling out within a month.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Britten, according to conductor Graham Ross, set the standard for approaching text with a careful understanding of poetry and language inflections.
Performer Biography
Graham Ross, the conductor, has a long history with Benjamin Britten's works, having sung treble roles, conducted his operas, and recorded his music previously.
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