A Ceremony of Carols

2013 marks Britten's centenary making this year largely focused on his music. 'Deo Gracias' (thanks be to God) was one of the carols drawn from texts in 'The English Galaxy of Shorter Poems', which Britten set onboard the MS Axel Johnson during his voyage from the U.S to England. The piece was once a part of a set of 7 Christmas Carols which later became known as A Ceremony of Carols. The choice of harp accompaniment for Ceremony may have been the result of an unfulfilled commission to compose a harp concerto. This new publication of the work for SATB Chorus and Harp (or Piano) was arranged by Julius Harrison at the suggestion of the publisher.