War Requiem

[Mary Chambers]

Is it not rather extraordinary that tonight's performance of Britten's War Requiem at the Albert Hall is given in association with the British Legion? Is someone not understanding something? I don't have the impression that the Legion is a pacifist organisation.

[MrGongGong]

Is it not rather extraordinary that tonight's performance of Britten's War Requiem at the Albert Hall is given in association with the British Legion? Is someone not understanding something? I don't have the impression that the Legion is a pacifist organisation.

Careful , you will incur the wrath of the green clarinet and we will all end up in the basement

"What would Ben think ?"

[amateur51]

Careful , you will incur the wrath of the green clarinet and we will all end up in the basement

"What would Ben think ?"

The British Legion club in Queen's Park London NW6 was the first body to receive an ASBO in Brent for playing their disco too loud

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Various governments send out soldiers to kill and be killed in dangerous places, many unconnected with British affairs. Then when some are killed or maimed, governments do not really face up to their obligations. Instead, they encourage a charity to support those affected.

[JimD]

I'm afraid I cannot infer the argument which sits behind Mary's original post (even in the narrow sense of properly knowing it, and therefore still less properly understanding it): perhaps she would elaborate?

[Alison]

Actually I am rather heartened that the BL is associated with tonight's performance.

[MrGongGong]

Actually I am rather heartened that the BL is associated with tonight's performance.

I'm certainly not.
I understand the need for a club for ex service folks
and the need for people to be looked after and supported etc etc

But it seems to go against the spirit of what Britten intended ? or maybe i'm wrong ?

[Mary Chambers]

I'm afraid I cannot infer the argument which sits behind Mary's original post (even in the narrow sense of properly knowing it, and therefore still less properly understanding it): perhaps she would elaborate?

I was surprised that an organisation that has the current motto "Shoulder to shoulder with those who serve" would perform the work of a conscientious objector. I wondered if perhaps they don't know that this is a pacifist piece as well as a memorial. I'm not suggesting they wouldn't prefer peace, and that they haven't done useful work in the past, but nevertheless I associate them with parades and uniforms, and similarly un-Brittenish things. The armed forces they support at the moment aren't conscripted. They are choosing those careers.

This may be a bit confused, but somehow I find the event jarring.

I notice that they haven't got a German baritone.

[MrGongGong]

I was surprised that an organisation that has the current motto "Shoulder to shoulder with those who serve" would perform the work of a conscientious objector. I wondered if perhaps they don't know that this is a pacifist piece as well as a memorial. I'm not suggesting they wouldn't prefer peace, and that they haven't done useful work in the past, but nevertheless I associate them with parades and uniforms, and similarly un-Brittenish things. The armed forces they support at the moment aren't conscripted. They are choosing those careers.

This may be a bit confused, but somehow I find the event jarring.

Makes sense to me Mary (but you might need to duck behind the sofa as it's not what we are supposed to say these days )

[pastoralguy]

I first heard this work conducted by Sir Alex Gibson and the SNO and chorus in 1979 whilst I was a schoolboy. Predictably (perhaps), I was bored to tears by it and the final tenor oration seemed to take forever to reach its conclusion. It's a work I've always intended to return to and tonight (34 years later !) I have. I missed the performance on the radio but I've put the Britten recording on and I'm so glad I did as it's highlighted how much more I understand about Britten, music and life now than as a schoolboy.

I still don't find it an 'easy' listen but I do look forward to getting to know it better.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Is it not rather extraordinary that tonight's performance of Britten's War Requiem at the Albert Hall is given in association with the British Legion? Is someone not understanding something? I don't have the impression that the Legion is a pacifist organisation.

So nobody should perform WR unless they are pacificist?

[Bryn]

Did Britten turn down an offered knighthood due to its military connotations, or was one never offered due to his pacifism?

[MrGongGong]

So nobody should perform WR unless they are pacificist?

That's not what she said,or implied.
I would find it strange if CE included music from Gorgoroths Black Mass, Krakow album

[Mary Chambers]

I first heard it in 1966, I think, with Pears, Thomas Hemsley (Helmsley?) and Heather Harper, RLPO and chorus conducted by Charles Groves, I think. Britten was in the audience. I was bowled over, and still am. I was about 25.

[Mary Chambers]

Did Britten turn down an offered knighthood due to its military connotations, or was one never offered due to his pacifism?

I've never been sure about that. He accepted the peerage, but only, one gathers, because his beloved nurse said she would never speak to him again if he didn't - something like that, anyway. Pears accepted a knighthood after Britten's death - CBE before that.

Both belonged to the Peace Pledge Union.