Advance Democracy
Advance Democracy is a 1938 piece for unaccompanied choir by British composer Benjamin Britten.
History[edit]
In 1938, in reaction to the Munich Agreement and threat posed by the Axis against the liberal order in Europe, the London Co-operative Society commissioned a propaganda piece to promote democracy.[1][2] Poet Randall Swingler wrote the lyrics.[3]
Music[edit]
The piece begins with text evoking the fascist menace, with a minor key and staccato.[1] The call to advance democracy is underlined by a bright C major.[3]
References[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Spicer, Paul. "Advance Democracy (1938)". Hal Leonard. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ Rushworth, Charlotte. "Britten's Advance Democracy – A rallying cry for us all". Pink Singers. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
- ^ a b Jane, Caecilia. "Benjamin Britten and WW2 propaganda". A Historical Miscellany. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
