Britten Thematic Catalogue

Manuscript Sources

1. A hymn to the virgin - 5 items

   Title	A hymn to the virgin
   Subtitle	For mixed voices (SATB double chorus) unaccompanied
   RefNo	BBM/a_hymn_to_the_virgin
   Date	9 Jul 1930
   Description	The text is Anon (English c. 1300).
   Extent	5 items
   Revised	29 Apr 1934

   1. Holographs - 5 items

      Title	Holographs
      RefNo	BBM/a_hymn_to_the_virgin/1
      Date	Jul 1930-Apr 1934
      Extent	5 items

      1. Composition draft - 1 manuscript; 2 pages [1r-2r]

         Title	Composition draft
         Subtitle	Complete
         RefNo	BBM/a_hymn_to_the_virgin/1/1
         Date	9 Jul 1930
         Description	Annotated draft, with date and signature, starting on the fourth system of page 1r.
         Extent	1 manuscript; 2 pages [1r-2r]
         PhysicalDescription	Pencil and black ink; 17.3 x 22.9 cm. Shares a volume with other sources. See Related Records.

      2. Fair copy - 1 manuscript; 3 pages [1r-3r]

         Title	Fair copy
         Subtitle	Complete
         RefNo	BBM/a_hymn_to_the_virgin/1/2
         Date	3 Sep 1930
         Description	Fair copy with date and signatures.
         Extent	1 manuscript; 3 pages [1r-3r]
         PhysicalDescription	Black ink; 23.5 x 31 cm. Paper manufacturer = The B.F.Wood Music Co. See Title Page of Collected Volume.
         TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	' EBB / TWO CHORAL SONGS / NO I / A Hymn to the Virgin / words. anon / Set to Music for Chorus (S.A.T.B) & Semi Chorus (S.A.T.B) / by / [signature] / on July 9th 1930 / HOLT-NORFOLK / (LOWESTOFT-SUFFOLK)'.

      3. Fair copy - 3 pages of 5 page manuscript [1v-3r]

         Title	Fair copy
         Subtitle	Complete
         RefNo	BBM/a_hymn_to_the_virgin/1/3
         Date	27-28 Oct 1930
         Description	Fair copy with signature, original composition date and place, 'HOLT on JULY 9th 1930'. Britten has added a comment at the bottom of page 1v in reference to the text: 'Words taken from "The Oxford Book of English Verse" '.
         Extent	3 pages of 5 page manuscript [1v-3r]
         PhysicalDescription	Black ink; 23.5 x 30.5 cm. Paper manufacturer's catalogue No. = RC1. Shares a volume with other sources. See Related Records and Title Page of Collected Volume.
         TitlePageOfCollectedVolume	'[signature] / TWO CHORAL SONGS / No I A HYMN TO THE VIRGIN (Anon) / CHORUS S.A.T.B - SEMI-CHORUS S.A.T.B / No II I SAW THREE SHIPS (Anon) / CHORUS S.A.T.B / Set to music by / E.BENJAMIN BRITTEN / 1st peformed St.John Church 1931?'.

      4. Composition draft - 1 manuscript; 2 pages [1r-2r]

         Title	Composition draft
         Subtitle	Complete
         RefNo	BBM/a_hymn_to_the_virgin/1/4
         Date	29 Apr 1934
         Description	Draft with signature and original composition date and place, 'Holt July 1930', under which Britten has added 'rewritten Prestatyn 1934'. A large section on page 1v-2r has been crossed out.
         Extent	1 manuscript; 2 pages [1r-2r]
         PhysicalDescription	Black ink and pencil; 26.3 x 35.5 cm. Paper manufacturer = A L.

      5. Fair copy - 2 pages of 8 page manuscript [4r-5v]

         Title	Fair copy
         Subtitle	Complete: Revised version
         RefNo	BBM/a_hymn_to_the_virgin/1/5
         Date	29 Apr 1934
         Description	Fair copy with signature and original composition date and place, 'Holt July 9th 1930' followed by the revised date '(1934)'. There is a Boosey and Hawkes stamp on page 4r.
         Extent	2 pages of 8 page manuscript [4r-5v]
         PhysicalDescription	Black ink; 26.5 x 35.5 cm. Shares a volume with other sources. See Related Records.