Page 286 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained

284

I MUST CREATE

ORDER OUT OF CHAOS

A CHILD OF OUR TIME (1939–1941),
MICHAEL TIPPETT

IN CONTEXT

FOCUS
English choral tradition
in the late 20th century
BEFORE
1928 Constant Lambert’s The
Rio Grande premieres in a BBC
radio broadcast.

1931 William Walton’s cantata
Belshazzar’s Feast launches at
Leeds Festival.
1950 Herbert Howell’s
Hymnus Paradisi is sung at
Gloucester Cathedral as part of
the UK’s Three Choirs Festival.
AFTER
1962 The premiere of Britten’s
War Requiem marks the
consecration of Coventry n the 18th century, frequent A Child of Our Time is performed by
the English National Opera in January
performances of Handel’s
Cathedral, in the UK. 2005. Timothy Robinson, seated, sings
I oratorios in Britain established
1984 Tippett’s oratorio The a nationwide tradition of amateur the tenor solo from the second part:
“My dreams are all shattered.”
Mask of Time premieres in choirs and choral societies. These
Boston, Massachusetts. fueled the production of choral
works by British and foreign had continued to be a central
2008 James MacMillan’s composers, who often premiered activity. During the 20th century,
St. John Passion receives its their works at choral festivals. composers began to use the choral
first performance at London’s For many British composers, tradition to write oratorios or
Barbican Center. the production of choral music— cantatas for soloists, choir, and
for the church or the concert hall— large orchestra to comment on

US_284-285_Tippett.indd 284 26/03/18 1:01 PM