Films for the Humanities and Sciences - Benjamin Britten: "A Ceremony of Carols"

Benjamin Britten: "A Ceremony of Carols"

For half a century, "A Ceremony of Carols" has been one of the best-loved Christmas choral works. Britten composed it during a sea voyage from America in March 1942; the strong religious element that had developed in Britten over the years reached its maturity in this reflection on the spiritual qualities of a peculiarly English traditional Christmas, inspired by echoes of his own childhood—full of poetry, plainsong, church bells, and boys’ voices. Filmed at one of England’s most beautiful cathedrals, Oxford’s Christchurch Cathedral, with the boys of the Cathedral Choir under the direction of Francis Grier, this performance was introduced by Sir Peter Pears. (34 minutes)

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Item#: BVL4284
Copyright date: ©1994


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