IDAGIO | Britten: Spring Symphony - Welcome Ode

Featuring

Elizabeth Gale
Alfreda Hodgson
Martyn Hill
Richard Hickox
London Symphony Orchestra
Southend Boys' Choir

London Symphony Chorus
City of London School for Girls Senior Choir
City of London School Senior Choir
City of London School for Girls Orchestra
City of London School for Girls Junior Choir
City of London School Junior Choir
Benjamin Britten

Did you know?

1/7

Composer's Artistic Vision

Britten initially considered using medieval Latin verse for the Spring Symphony but changed his mind after re-reading English lyric verse and experiencing a beautiful spring day in East Suffolk.

Composer Biography

Before World War II, Benjamin Britten was primarily known for his orchestral works, though his reputation as a vocal composer grew significantly after his 1943 Serenade for tenor, horn and strings.

Compositional Technique

For Psalm 150, Britten left the instrumentation flexible, stating, 'The more instruments there are, the merrier, but care should be taken not to swamp the voices.'

Performer Biography

Richard Hickox, the conductor on this album, was a highly gifted British conductor who founded the City of London Sinfonia and made over 280 recordings, earning a Grammy and five Gramophone Awards.

Composition History

Britten's Psalm 150 was commissioned by his former preparatory school, Old Buckenham Hall School, for its centenary celebration in 1962.

Compositional Technique

The Spring Symphony's scoring was considered revolutionary at the time, with Britten using specific instrument combinations and effects, like sul ponticello, to create a wide range of 'sound-colour'.

Composition History

Britten's Spring Symphony was commissioned by the Koussevitsky Music Foundation for Serge Koussevitsky and The Boston Symphony Orchestra, though its premiere was in Amsterdam.