Cantata academica, Carmen basiliense (Op. 62) is a 1959 choral work on a Latin text by the English composer Benjamin Britten.[1] It was commissioned by Paul Sacher for the quincentenary of the University of Basel. He conducted the premiere on 1 July 1960.
The cantata, completed in March 1959, was written for the 500th anniversary of the University of Basel on 1 July the following year.[2] The Latin text, which was compiled by Bernhard Wyss [de], is based on the charter of the university, as well as older orations praising Basel.[1][2] Britten wrote out the text for the work on the pages of his old preparatory-school German exercise book. He later used the same book to plan his War Requiem.[3]
The work was premiered at the University of Basel on 1 July 1960, conducted by Paul Sacher; the performers were Agnes Giebel, Elsa Cavelti, Peter Pears, Heinz Rehfuss, the Basler Kammerchor, the Sterk'scher Privatchor, and the Basler Kammerorchester.[4] The British premiered was by the Cambridge University Musical Society in November, a few months after Britten received an honorary doctorate from the University.[3]
The work is in two parts and has thirteen total sections.[4]
Pars 1
Corale
Alla rovesco
Recitative (tenor)
Arioso (bass)
Duettino (soprano and alto)
Recitative (tenor)
Scherzo
Pars 2
Tema seriale con fuga
Soli et duetto (alto and bass)
Arioso con canto popolare
Recitative (tenor)
Canone ed istinato
Corale con canto
Cantata academica is formally a work of serialism, although only on a large scale, "so tightly connected with the form that it is the form itself".[2] This reflects Britten's intention to be deliberately "clever" with the work; he noted in a letter to Wyss that the piece is "full of academic devices for the edification of the performers".[3] The final section is "but a unifying return to the opening"; each of the others has a single "ruling note", corresponding to the 12-note series of the work, which serves as an ostinato or pedal tone for the section.[2]
Adaptations
The movement Tema seriale con fuga was adapted for two 1973 compositions by Richard Rodney Bennett dedicated to Britten: a concerto for orchestra and a work called Alba for organ. It was also used as the basis for a 1963 collaborative composition by Bennett, Nicholas Maw, and Malcolm Williamson, called Reflections on a theme of Benjamin Britten.[4]
References
^ ab"Cantata Academica". The Oxford Dictionary of Music, 2nd ed. rev. Ed. Michael Kennedy. Oxford Music Online. Accessed 27 August 2011.
^ abcdBradshaw, Susan (1960). "Britten's 'Cantata Academica'". Tempo (53–54): 22–26. doi:10.1017/S004029820004537X. S2CID 143923285.
^ abcCooke, Mervyn. "Reflections on and around Britten's War Requiem at Yale" (PDF). Colloquium Journal.
^ abcd"Cantata academica, Carmen basiliense". Britten Thematic Catalogue. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
February 26, 2023
cantata, academica, carmen, basiliense, 1959, choral, work, latin, text, english, composer, benjamin, britten, commissioned, paul, sacher, quincentenary, university, basel, conducted, premiere, july, 1960, 62by, benjamin, brittenoccasionquincentenary, universi. Cantata academica Carmen basiliense Op 62 is a 1959 choral work on a Latin text by the English composer Benjamin Britten 1 It was commissioned by Paul Sacher for the quincentenary of the University of Basel He conducted the premiere on 1 July 1960 Cantata academica Op 62by Benjamin BrittenOccasionQuincentenary of the University of BaselPerformed1 July 1960 1960 07 01 Contents 1 History and text 2 Composition 3 Adaptations 4 ReferencesHistory and text EditThe cantata completed in March 1959 was written for the 500th anniversary of the University of Basel on 1 July the following year 2 The Latin text which was compiled by Bernhard Wyss de is based on the charter of the university as well as older orations praising Basel 1 2 Britten wrote out the text for the work on the pages of his old preparatory school German exercise book He later used the same book to plan his War Requiem 3 The work was premiered at the University of Basel on 1 July 1960 conducted by Paul Sacher the performers were Agnes Giebel Elsa Cavelti Peter Pears Heinz Rehfuss the Basler Kammerchor the Sterk scher Privatchor and the Basler Kammerorchester 4 The British premiered was by the Cambridge University Musical Society in November a few months after Britten received an honorary doctorate from the University 3 Composition EditThe piece is scored for four vocal soloists soprano alto or contralto tenor and bass a four part choir two flutes piccolo two oboes two clarinets in B flat two bassoons four horns two trumpets in C three trombones tuba strings timpani four percussionists two harps and pianoforte 4 The work is in two parts and has thirteen total sections 4 Pars 1Corale Alla rovesco Recitative tenor Arioso bass Duettino soprano and alto Recitative tenor ScherzoPars 2Tema seriale con fuga Soli et duetto alto and bass Arioso con canto popolare Recitative tenor Canone ed istinato Corale con cantoCantata academica is formally a work of serialism although only on a large scale so tightly connected with the form that it is the form itself 2 This reflects Britten s intention to be deliberately clever with the work he noted in a letter to Wyss that the piece is full of academic devices for the edification of the performers 3 The final section is but a unifying return to the opening each of the others has a single ruling note corresponding to the 12 note series of the work which serves as an ostinato or pedal tone for the section 2 Adaptations EditThe movement Tema seriale con fuga was adapted for two 1973 compositions by Richard Rodney Bennett dedicated to Britten a concerto for orchestra and a work called Alba for organ It was also used as the basis for a 1963 collaborative composition by Bennett Nicholas Maw and Malcolm Williamson called Reflections on a theme of Benjamin Britten 4 References Edit a b Cantata Academica The Oxford Dictionary of Music 2nd ed rev Ed Michael Kennedy Oxford Music Online Accessed 27 August 2011 a b c d Bradshaw Susan 1960 Britten s Cantata Academica Tempo 53 54 22 26 doi 10 1017 S004029820004537X S2CID 143923285 a b c Cooke Mervyn Reflections on and around Britten s War Requiem at Yale PDF Colloquium Journal a b c d Cantata academica Carmen basiliense Britten Thematic Catalogue Retrieved 3 August 2013 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cantata academica amp oldid 1120462043, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
