Thematic Cat. #:

JH.D2

Text:

Alistair Sampson

Commissioner:

Gerard Hoffnung for the “Hoffnung Interplanetary Music Festival,” Royal Festival Hall, London

Date of composition:

1958

First performance:

21 November 1958, London, Hoffnung Festival

Duration:

11’

Solo voice(s):

Soprano and Baritone

Instrumentation:

2.2.2.2./4.2.3.0./ timp.hp.pf. & hpsd.2 perc./strings. Optional ensemble of road-rammers

Manuscript:

Royal College of Music Library, MS 22135

Availability:

Performance materials for hire from Royal College of Music Library

Notes:

Five parodies on television commercial advertising practice, using the              slogan “Sleep sweeter Bournvita” in the style of Bach, Mozart, Verdi,               Schoenberg, and Stravinsky, though the music is original and contains only one brief semi-quotation from Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring (see: optional road-rammers).