Britten Thematic Catalogue

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BTC1136 THE OXEN ('CHRISTMAS EVE, AND TWELVE OF THE CLOCK')

Carol for women's voices (two parts) and piano
Composition date: 19 Apr 1967
Genre: Choral
Text: Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)
Duration: 3'
Commissioned:

By the dedicatee in the summer of 1966.

Dedication: 'For Cecily Smithwick and the East Coker W.I.'

Notes

In Autumn 1966 all members of the Women's Institute in Somerset were invited to send in possible texts, and a selection of these poems, including The oxen, was sent to Britten to choose from.

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