Boosey & Hawkes Britten - Rejoice In The Lamb Op. 30 - Solo Ps (Satb) Choeur Mixte Et Orgue
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Boosey & Hawkes
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Summary of This Score
The words of the cantata "Rejoice in the Lamb" come from the long eponymous poem by Christopher Smart, an 18th-century poet both deeply pious and tormented. Written during Smart's stay in an asylum, this atypical text, sometimes bewildering in form, nevertheless contains striking moments of clarity and inspiration. Benjamin Britten drew from some of the most remarkable passages to build a concise and intense cantata, whose central theme is the worship of God through all creatures and all things fashioned by the Creator, each "in its own way."
The cantata unfolds in ten short parts, conceived as a dramatic progression. The first sets the general theme, like an initial call to praise. The second follows with examples drawn from the Old Testament: biblical figures join the celebration alongside other creatures, in a movement of joy and universality. The third part takes the form of a calm, almost suspended alleluia, both inward and ecstatic.
Parts four and five offer a striking contrast: Smart takes his beloved cat as a model of the nature willed by God, simple and just, then applies a similar reasoning to the mouse. This way of making the spiritual and the everyday dialogue gives the work its unique color, both humble, poetic, and deeply expressive. The sixth part lingers on flowers, described as "the poetry of Christ," bringing a contemplative and luminous dimension.
In the seventh part, the text becomes more personal: Smart speaks of his sufferings and difficulties, seen as opportunities to praise God, with the promise of resolution through Christ. The eighth part, built from four letters of the alphabet, prepares the full choir's rise in the ninth, which explicitly celebrates praise through music and instruments. Finally, the alleluia returns in the tenth part, as a concluding echo, closing the spiritual and musical arc of the work.
Technical specifications
| Musical Genre | Classical | Publication | Sheet music |
| Composer | Benjamin Britten | Difficulty | advanced |
| Genre | Classical score | Pages | 44 |
| Language | English | ||
Questions frequently asked
What is the difficulty level of Rejoice in the Lamb by Benjamin Britten?
This score is rated as difficult and is intended for a mixed SATB choir with organ.
Is the edition of Rejoice in the Lamb in French?
The texts of this edition are in English. The cantata uses excerpts from the eponymous poem by Christopher Smart, an 18th-century English poet.
How many pages does the score have?
The work consists of 44 pages.
What ensemble is specified for Rejoice in the Lamb Op. 30?
The composition features a soloist indicated as "Ps", a mixed SATB choir, and organ. The choral part particularly appears in the ninth section, dedicated to praise through music and instruments.
How many movements does this Britten cantata have?
The cantata is structured in ten short parts. The calm Alleluia from the third part returns in the tenth to conclude the work. The central sections notably address the cat, the mouse, flowers, and the sufferings evoked by Christopher Smart.
