Britten & Poulenc: An Anniversary Year

2013 brought together two significant anniversaries: the centenary of Benjamin Britten’s birth and fifty years since the death of Francis Poulenc. The coincidence became the focus of a series of concerts in Britain and across Europe, bringing their distinctive musical worlds alongside one another.

The sequence began in late 2012 with Polyphony in Amsterdam and Aldeburgh. In 2013, the Holst Singers paired Britten’s A.M.D.G. with Poulenc’s Un soir de neige and Sept chansons. The City of London Sinfonia presented London programmes devoted to Poulenc and toured ten cathedrals with his Organ Concerto. At the Cheltenham Festival, programmes included Poulenc’s Gloria and Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings.

In Riga, the Latvian State Choir performed Poulenc’s Figure humaine alongside Britten’s Hymn to St Cecilia. Further performances followed in Stockholm and Germany later that year.

These anniversary concerts formed part of a much longer history of performing and recording both composers, extending from the 1990s to the present.

Recordings

Benjamin Britten

• Christ's Nativity & other choral works — 1995Holst SingersHyperion CDA66825Booklet (PDF)
• Sacred and Profane & other choral works — 2001PolyphonyHyperion CDA67140Booklet (PDF)
• A Ceremony of Carols & St Nicolas — 2012Choir of Trinity College CambridgeHyperion CDA67946Booklet (PDF)

Francis Poulenc

• Gloria & Motets — 2008Polyphony, Choir of Trinity College Cambridge and Britten SinfoniaHyperion CDA67623Booklet (PDF)
• Half Monk | Half Rascal — 2012Danish National Vocal EnsembleOUR Recordings 8.226906
• Duruflé: Requiem; Poulenc: Lenten Motets — 2024Choir of Trinity College CambridgeHyperion CDA68436Booklet (PDF)

Selected concerts — 2013

1. 2 March 2013Holst Singers, SouthwarkBritten and Poulenc
2. 11 April 2013City of London Sinfonia, LondonPoulenc Festival
3. May and October 2013City of London Sinfonia, cathedrals tourPoulenc's Organ Concerto in ten cathedralsDurham · Ely · Portsmouth · Derby · Coventry · Guildford · Exeter · Chester · Southwell · Liverpool
4. 13 July 2013Gloucester CathedralPoulenc's Gloria, Cheltenham Festival
5. 24 August 2013Latvian State Choir, RigaPoulenc: Figure humaine; Britten: Hymn to St Cecilia
6. 6 November 2013Eric Ericsons Kammarkör, StockholmBritten and Poulenc
7. 14 December 2013MDR Radio Choir, GermanyBritten: A Boy Was Born

Riga, August 2013

Further performances

1. 1999Poulenc's Figure humaine, BBC Singers, BBC Proms
2. 2023Poulenc's motets, Polyphony, Concertgebouw Amsterdam
3. 2024Britten and Poulenc, Holst Singers, Waltham Abbey
4. 2025Poulenc's penitential motets, Polyphony, London

More Britten performances

2026

1. 10 MarAuditorium de Radio France, Paris · Chœur de Radio FranceThe Ballad of Little Musgrave and Lady Barnard

2024

1. 30 NovVictoria Concert Hall, Singapore · Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Youth Choir, Singapore Symphony Children’s ChoirA Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28
2. 29 NovVictoria Concert Hall, Singapore · Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Youth Choir, Singapore Symphony Children’s ChoirA Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28
3. 15 JunWaltham Abbey Church · Holst SingersHymn to St Cecilia

2023

1. 25 AugChapelle Corneille, Rouen · accentusHymn to the Virgin · Chorale after an Old French Carol · Sacred and Profane
2. 30 JunAuditorium de Radio France, Paris · accentusHymn to the Virgin · Chorale after an Old French Carol · Sacred and Profane
3. 25 JunCathedrale des Invalides, Paris · accentusHymn to the Virgin · Chorale after an Old French Carol · Sacred and Profane
4. 25 JunCathedrale des Invalides, Paris · accentusHymn to the Virgin · Chorale after an Old French Carol · Sacred and Profane
5. 6 JunTemple Church, London · Holst SingersHymn to St Cecilia

2017

1. 16 DecBerlin · Norddeutscher Rundfunk Chor
2. 15 DecKirche St. Marien, Winsen · Norddeutscher Rundfunk Chor
3. 14 DecHauptkirche St. Jacobi, Hamburg · Norddeutscher Rundfunk Chor
4. 28 OctJeroen Bosch Art Centre · Nederlands Kamerkoor, Cappella Pratensis, Capella Brabant, Nationaal Vrouwen JeugdkoorA Hymn to the Virgin

2015

1. 16 MayBenaroya Hall · Seattle SymphonyChaconne in g minor
2. 15 MayBenaroya Hall · Seattle SymphonyChaconne in g minor

2014

1. 15 JunMarjan Kozina Hall (Great Hall), Ljubljana, Slovenia · Slovenian Philharmonic ChoirHymn to the Virgin

2013

1. 14 DecJohanniskirche, Magdeburg, Germany · MDR Radio Choir, MDR Children's ChoirA Boy Was Born
2. 13 NovSt John's Smith Square, London · Polyphony, City of London SinfoniaChacone · Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge
3. 6 NovStora salen, Stockholms Konserthus, Stockholm, Sweden · Eric Ericsons KammarkörA.M.D.G.; Sex metamorfoser efter Ovidius för solooboe; A Hymn to the Virgin för kör a cappella; Hymn to St. Cecilia
4. 24 AugSt Peter's Church, Riga, Latvia · State Choir LatvijaHymn to St Cecilia
5. 14 JulCheltenham · City of London SinfoniaSerenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Op.31
6. 14 JulCheltenham College Chapel, Cheltenham · The Choir of Trinity College CambridgeRejoice in the Lamb
7. 29 JunTrinity College Chapel , Cambridge · The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge
8. 9 MarStroud Subcription Rooms, Stroud · Holst SingersA.M.D.G. · Five Flower Songs
9. 2 MarSt George's Cathedral, Southwark (RC) · Holst SingersA.M.D.G. · Five Flower Songs

2012

1. 8 DecSnape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh · Polyphony, The Choir of the Temple Church, LondonFlower Songs · Ceremony of Carols · A Boy was Born
2. 10 NovConcertgebouw, Amsterdam · PolyphonyAMDG · Hymn to St Cecilia
3. 31 OctBritten, Whitacre & Esenvalds, Belfast · PolyphonyHymn to St Cecilia · Flower Songs · AMDG

2011

1. 19 DecSt John's Smith Square, London · The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, Holst Singers, City of London Sinfonia, The Choir of the Temple Church, LondonSt Nicolas · A Ceremony of Carols
2. 28 NovTrinity College Chapel, Cambridge · The Choir of Trinity College CambridgeCeremony of Carols
3. 21 AugRoyal Albert Hall, London · Polyphony, City of London SinfoniaVariations on a theme of Frank Bridge
4. 25 JanCity Hall, Hong Kong · City Chamber Orchestra of Hong KongVariations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op. 10

2010

1. 30 OctCadogan Hall, London · City of London Sinfonia, Holst SingersVariations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op. 10 · Hymn to the Virgin · Chorale after an old French Carol
2. 24 OctWycombe Swan, High Wycombe, London · City of London Sinfonia, Holst SingersVariations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op. 10
3. 26 JunTrinity College Chapel, Cambridge · The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, City of London SinfoniaRejoice in the Lamb · Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings

2008

1. 19 JanYale University, USA · Schola Cantorum of Yale UniversityAMDG

2007

1. 28 NovTrinity College Chapel, Cambridge · The Choir of Trinity College CambridgeA Ceremony of Carols
2. 10 NovRiga, Latvia · Latvian Radio Choir

2006

1. 1 DecSnape Maltings Concert Hall · Britten Sinfonia, Holst Singers, The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, Britten Pears Chamber Choir, Ely Cathedral ChoristersCeremony of Carols, Hymn to the Virgin, A Boy was Born · St Nicholas
2. 29 NovTrinity College Chapel, Cambridge · The Choir of Trinity College CambridgeA Ceremony of Carols
3. 1 AprEly Cathedral, Ely · Polyphony, Britten SinfoniaRussian Funeral
4. 31 MarNorwich Cathedral · Polyphony, Britten SinfoniaRussian Funeral

2005

1. 21 JunSnape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh · Polyphony

2004

1. 10 DecBBC Broadcast - Britten St Nicholas · BBC Singers, Ely Cathedral ChoristersSt Nicolas
2. 9 DecSt Andrew's Hall, Norwich · BBC Singers, Britten Sinfonia, Ely Cathedral ChoristersSt Nicolas

2003

1. 22 MarTonbridge Parish Church · Holst Singers

2002

1. 27 JunEys, St.Agathakerk, The Netherlands · Nederlands Kamerkoor
2. 26 JunDokkum, Bonafatius Kapel, The Netherlands · Nederlands Kamerkoor
3. 25 JunWorkum, Sint Gertrudiskerk, The Netherlands · Nederlands KamerkoorSacred and Profane

2001

1. 21 JunAldeburgh Parish Church · BBC Singers, Psappha EnsembleCoal Face*, Negroes*,

2000

1. 18 JunAldeburgh Parish Church · Holst Singers, New London Children's ChoirA boy was born · Ballad of Little Musgrave
2. 3 JunSt James Church, Piccadilly, London W1 · Holst Singers, New London Children's ChoirA boy was born · Ballad of Little Musgrave
3. 25 AprTemple Church, London, Hyperion Recording · PolyphonySacred and Profane and other choral works
4. 11 FebConcert Hall, Istanbul, Turkey · Hilliard Ensemble, Istanbul Symphony Orchestra and ChorusFrank Bridge Variations

1999

1. 21 SepDenmark · Danish National Radio ChoirHymn to St Cecilia, Sacred and Profane, Choral Dances from Gloriana

1997

1. 18 DecSt John's Smith Square, London · Holst Singers, The Choir of the Temple Church, London, City of London SinfoniaSt Nicholas
2. 16 DecChristiansborg Slotskirke, Denmark · Danish National Radio Choir, The Copenhagen Boys ChoirA Boy Was Born, op.3

1996

1. 14 DecSt John's Smith Square, London · Holst SingersChrist's Nativity

1995

1. 20 OctSt Jude's, Hampstead Garden Suburb, Hyperion Recording · Holst Singers, The Choristers of St Paul's CathedralA Boy was Born
2. 16 JunSt Jude's, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London · Holst SingersChrist's Nativity
3. 8 AprNiguliste Church, Tallinn, Estonia · Estonian Project Choir
4. 1 AprSt Saviour's , Pimlico, London · Holst SingersChrist's Nativity

More Poulenc performances

2026

1. 19 JulConvento de Cristo (Convent of Christ), Tomar, Portugal · Holst Singers
2. 30 JunAll Hallows Church, Twickenham · Holst Singers
3. 9 MaySt Peter’s Church, Petersfield · Holst Singers
4. 28 MarAuditorium Ida Rubinstein, Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de Paris, Paris, France · Le Jeune Chooeur de ParisSalve Regina
5. 28 FebHoly Trinity, Sloane Square, London · Holst Singers

2025

1. 28 OctChurch of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, Palm Beach · PolyphonyTimor et tremor (from Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence)
2. 26 OctWoolsey Hall, Yale University, New Haven · PolyphonyTimor et tremor (from Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence)
3. 24 OctFirst Plymouth Church, Lincoln · Polyphony, Nebraska Wesleyan University ChoirTimor et tremor (from Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence)
4. 22 OctChurch of the Incarnation, Dallas · PolyphonyTimor et tremor (from Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence)
5. 21 OctSt Paul’s Episcopal Church, Cleveland Heights · PolyphonyTimor et tremor (from Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence)
6. 19 OctCathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist, Savannah · PolyphonyTimor et tremor (from Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence)
7. 17 OctCathedral of St Philip, Atlanta · PolyphonyTimor et tremor (from Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence)
8. 16 OctCathedral Church of the Advent, Birmingham · PolyphonyTimor et tremor (from Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence)
9. 14 OctSt George’s Episcopal Church, Nashville · PolyphonyTimor et tremor (from Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence)
10. 16 AprSmith Square Hall (St John’s Smith Square), London · PolyphonyQuatre motets pour un temps de pénitence

2024

1. 14 DecHoly Trinity Cathedral, Auckland · Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, The Graduate Choir New ZealandHodie Christus natus est
2. 13 DecHoly Trinity Cathedral, Auckland · Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, The Graduate Choir New ZealandHodie Christus natus est
3. 15 JunWaltham Abbey Church · Holst SingersLitanies à la Vierge noire · Quatre petites prières de saint François d’Assise

2023

1. 2 DecHoly Sepulchre, Holborn, London · Holst SingersO magnum mysterium
2. 25 AugChapelle Corneille, Rouen · accentusQuatre petites prières de Saint François d’Assise
3. 30 JunAuditorium de Radio France, Paris · accentusQuatre petites prières de Saint François d’Assise
4. 25 JunCathedrale des Invalides, Paris · accentusQuatre petites prières de Saint François d’Assise
5. 25 JunCathedrale des Invalides, Paris · accentusQuatre petites prières de Saint François d’Assise
6. 29 MaySaffron Hall · Polyphony, Britten SinfoniaMotets
7. 27 MayConcertgebouw Amsterdam · Polyphony, Britten SinfoniaQuatre motets pour un temps de pénitence, FP 97

2019

1. 23 MarOslo Cathedral · PolyphonyTimor et tremor · Vinea mea electa · Tenebrae factae sunt · Tristis est anima mea

2018

1. 31 OctSt Sophia's Cathedral, Bayswater, London · Holst SingersTimor et tremor · Vinea mea
2. 25 AugSt Peter's Church, Riga · Latvian State Choir4 Motets in Time of Penitence

2017

1. 25 AugTrinity College Chapel, Cambridge · National Youth Choir of Great BritainExultate Deo

2013

1. 6 NovStora salen, Stockholms Konserthus, Stockholm, Sweden · Eric Ericsons KammarkörSonat för två klarinetter; Un soir de neige; Mässa G-dur
2. 2 NovSt Sepulchre-without-Newgate, London · Holst SingersUn Soir de Neige
3. 26 OctLiverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool · City of London Sinfonia, The Choir of Liverpool Metropolitan CathedralOrgan Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in G minor
4. 19 OctSouthwell Minster · City of London Sinfonia, The Choir of Southwell MinsterOrgan Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in G minor
5. 18 OctChester Cathedral · City of London Sinfonia, The Choir of Chester CathedralOrgan Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in G minor
6. 16 OctExeter Cathedral · City of London Sinfonia, The Choir of Exeter CathedralOrgan Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in G minor
7. 12 OctGuildford Cathedral · City of London Sinfonia, The Choir of Guildford CathedralOrgan Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in G minor
8. 11 OctCoventry Cathedral, Coventry · City of London Sinfonia, The Choir of Coventry CathedralOrgan Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in G minor
9. 24 AugSt Peter's Church, Riga, Latvia · State Choir LatvijaFigure Humaine
10. 14 JulCheltenham College Chapel, Cheltenham · The Choir of Trinity College CambridgeExultate Deo; Salve Regina
11. 13 JulGloucester Cathedral, Gloucester · The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, Choir of Royal Holloway College London, Holst Singers, St Cecilia Singers, City of London SinfoniaOrgan Concerto · Gloria
12. 26 JunTemple Music, London · Holst SingersUn Soir de neige
13. 11 MayDerby Cathedral, Derby · City of London Sinfonia, Derby Cathedral ChoirOrgan Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in G minor
14. 10 MayPortsmouth Cathedral, Portsmouth · City of London Sinfonia, Portsmouth Cathedral ChoirOrgan Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in G minor
15. 6 MayEly Cathedral, Ely · City of London Sinfonia, Choirs of Ely CathedralOrgan Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in G minor
16. 3 MayDurham Cathedral, Durham · City of London Sinfonia, Durham Cathedral ChoirOrgan Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani in G minor
17. 11 AprSouthwark Cathedral (Anglican), London Bridge, London · City of London Sinfonia, Holst SingersOrgan Concerto · Gloria · Les animaux modeles
18. 10 AprVilliage Underground, Shoreditch, London · City of London SinfoniaTrois Mouvements Perpetuels · Le Bestiare · Rhapsodie Negre · Le Bal Masque
19. 9 MarStroud Subcription Rooms, Stroud · Holst SingersUn soir de neige · Sept Chansons
20. 2 MarSt George's Cathedral, Southwark (RC) · Holst SingersUn soir de neige · Sept Chansons

2012

1. 8 DecSnape Maltings Concert Hall, Aldeburgh · Polyphony, The Choir of the Temple Church, LondonChristmas Motets
2. 29 FebPoulenc, Bach, Nystedt & Stravinsky · City of London Sinfonia, Holst SingersSuite Francaise · Le Bal Masque
3. 29 FebSt Andrews, Holborn, London · City of London SinfoniaSuite Francaise · Le Bal Masque
4. 29 JanThe Great Guildhall, Riga, Latvia · Danish National Vocal EnsembleUn Soir de Neige
5. 27 JanKongsberg, Norway · Danish National Vocal EnsembleUn Soir de Neige
6. 25 JanChristians Kirken, Copenhagen, Denmark · Danish National Vocal EnsembleUn Soir de Neige

2010

1. 14 MarKastelskirken, Copenhagen, Denmark · Danish National Vocal EnsembleQuatre petites prières · Laudes
2. 11 MarDanish Radio City, Copenhagen, Denmark · Danish National Vocal EnsembleQuatre petites prières · Laudes
3. 10 MarMalmö Konserthus, Malmö, Sweden · Danish National Vocal EnsembleQuatre petites prières · Laudes

2009

1. 19 AugDanish Radio Concert Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark · Danish National Vocal EnsembleMusic for male voices
2. 10 JunDanish Radio Concert Hall, Copenhagen

2008

1. 28 AugHorne Kirke Funen, Denmark · Danish National Vocal Ensemble
2. 24 AugDanish Radio Concert Hall, Copenhagen, Denmark · Danish National Vocal Ensemble
3. 20 AprGarnisons Kirke, Sankt Annæ Plads, Denmark · Danish National Vocal Ensemble
4. 16 FebChrist Church Cathedral, Dublin · Polyphony

2007

1. 16 AprAll Hallows Gospel Oak, London, Hyperion Recording · Polyphony, The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, Britten SinfoniaMotets · Gloria
2. 14 AprTrinity College Chapel, Cambridge · Polyphony, The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, Britten SinfoniaMotets · Gloria
3. 13 AprNorwich Cathedral · Polyphony, The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, Britten SinfoniaMotets · Gloria
4. 18 JanDanish Radio Concert Hall, Copenhagen · Danish National Vocal Ensemble
5. 17 JanGlyptotektet, Copenhagen · Danish National Vocal Ensembleun soir de neige

2006

1. 21 OctGreek Orthodox Cathedral, London · Holst SingersQuatre motets popur un temps de Penitence

2005

1. 16 MarTemple Church, London · Holst Singers
2. 29 JanTemple Church, London · Holst Singers

2003

1. 23 AugVezelay Cathedral, France · Nederlands KamerkoorMotets

2002

1. 18 MayBury St Edmunds Festival · Britten Sinfonia, Bury St Edmunds Festival ChorusGloria

1999

1. 30 NovTemple Church, London · PolyphonyMass and Motets
2. 20 NovGreek Orthodox Cathedral, London · Holst SingersFigure Humaine
3. 21 JulRoyal Albert Hall, London · BBC SingersFigure Humaine
4. 17 JulGreek Orthodox Cathedral, London · Holst SingersMass in G
5. 29 MaySt David's Festival, Wales · Holst SingersMotets
6. 22 MayGreek Orthodox Cathedral, London · Holst SingersMotets

1998

1. 25 JulSt Mary Magdalen, Oxford · Holst SingersFigure Humaine
2. 20 JunTemple Church, London · Holst SingersFigure Humaine

1997

1. 16 DecChristiansborg Slotskirke, Denmark · Danish National Radio Choir, The Copenhagen Boys ChoirMass in g minor