1914

Words by Wilfred Owen (1893–1918). The starkness of SATB voices accompanied by ostinato timpani draw out the searing text in all its intensity.

First performed at the 67th Aldeburgh Festival Service, 15th June 2014, at Aldeburgh Parish Church, sung by Aldeburgh Voices (now Britten-Pears Chamber Choir), conducted by the composer.

War broke: and now the Winter of the world
With perishing great darkness closes in.
The foul tornado, centred at Berlin,
Is over all the width of Europe whirled,
Rending the sails of progress. Rent or furled
Are all Art's ensigns. Verse wails. Now begin
Famines of thought and feeling. Love's wine's thin.
The grain of human Autumn rots, down-hurled.

For after Spring had bloomed in early Greece,
And Summer blazed her glory out with Rome,
An Autumn softly fell, a harvest home,
A slow grand age, and rich with all increase.
But now, for us, wild Winter, and the need
Of sowings for new Spring, and blood for seed.