Benjamin Britten

Cantata misericordium

, op. 69, is a 1963 musical composition by British composer Benjamin Britten. Its single movement is based on the parable of the Good Samaritan with a Latin text by Patrick Wilkinson, and was

History and text#

This cantata was composed in 1963 for the centenary of the Red Cross. The Latin text by Patrick Wilkinson recounts the Biblical parable of the Good Samaritan. It was performed again at The Proms later that month, conducted by Britten himself.

Composition#

Cantata misericordium is scored for solo tenor and baritone, SATB choir, string quartet, string orchestra, piano, harp, and timpani. The work is in a single movement with “a highly unified structure built up out of short interlinked sections”. Its tonality is largely F-sharp major, but with a D in the bass.

Analysis#

Eric Roseberry describes this piece as “yet another minor masterpiece in which once more Britten’s skill and science as a composer objectify his unique poetic sensibility”.

Composer: Benjamin Britten