Britten Thematic Catalogue

Beta Version

BTC749 PHANTASY

Quartet in one movement for oboe, violin, viola, violoncello, op. 2
Period of composition: 9 Sep - 25 Oct 1932
Revised: 13 Nov 1932

The composition draft is dated at the end 'Oct. 19th (Oct. 10th) 1932', an indication of the revisions made after the draft was completed and before work started on the fair copy. Further revisions were made on 13 November 1933, Britten noting in his diary for that day that he 'practically rewrites' the Phantasy.

First performance: 6 Aug 1933 >>
Type of performance: Radio broadcast
Location: BBC National
Performance details:

Leon Goossens ob, three members of the International String Quartet (André Mangeot vn, Eric Bray va, Jack Shinebourne vc)

Genre: Chamber
Duration: 15'
Dedication: 'To Leon Goossens'

Leon Goossens (1897-1988), oboist, who first performed this work.

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