Benjamin Britten: (Illustrated) The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra Op.34 - with Peter Pears

UPDATE: I have added a clickable INDEX to the instruments/variations below.
A great favourite of mine, "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" was composed by Benjamin Britten in 1945 (completed on New Year's Eve 1945 in fact) with a subtitle "Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell". It was originally commissioned for an educational documentary film called Instruments of the Orchestra, directed by Muir Mathieson and featuring the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent. It was first performed in public in late 1946.
In this 1955 recording, Benjamin Britten's lifelong partner, tenor Peter Pears, narrates. Mono recording, clearly transcribed from an LP record, it still shines - both in performance and historical importance.
Courtesy of Wikipedia:
"The work is based on the Rondeau from Henry Purcell's incidental music (1695) to Aphra Behn's Abdelazer, and is structured, in accordance with the plan of the original documentary film, as a way of showing off the tone colours and capacities of the various sections of the orchestra.
In the introduction, the theme is initially played by the entire orchestra, then by each major family of instruments of the orchestra: first the woodwinds, then the brass, then the strings, and finally by the percussion. Each variation then features a particular instrument in depth, in the same family order, and generally moving through each family from high to low. So, for example, the first variation features the piccolo and flutes; each member of the woodwind family then gets a variation, ending with the bassoon; and so on, through the strings, brass, and finally the percussion.
After the whole orchestra has been effectively taken to pieces in this way, it is reassembled using an original fugue which starts with the piccolo, followed by all the woodwinds, strings, brass and percussion in turn. Once everyone has entered, the brass are re-introduced (with a strike on the gong) with Purcell's original melody.
The sections of the piece and instruments introduced by the variations are as follows.
INDEX
02:40 - Theme: Allegro maestoso e largamente
Tutti, Woodwinds, Brass, Strings, then Percussion
03:18 - Variation A: Presto:
Piccolo and Flute
03:49 - Variation B: Lento:
Oboes
05:07 - Variation C: Moderato:
Clarinets
05:50 - Variation D: Allegro alla marcia:
Bassoons
06:46 - Variation E: Brillante: alla polacca:
Violins
07:33 - Variation F: Meno mosso:
Violas
08:43 - Variation G:
Cellos
09:54 - Variation H: Cominciando lento ma poco a poco accel. al Allegro:
Double Basses
10:55 - Variation I: Maestoso:
Harp
11:50 - Variation J: L'istesso tempo:
Horns
12:53 - Variation K: Vivace:
Trumpets
13:26 - Variation L: Allegro pomposo:
Trombones and Bass-Tuba
14:33 - Variation M: Moderato:
Percussion (Timpani; Bass Drum & Cymbals; Tambourine & Triangle; Snare Drum & Wood Block; Xylophone; Castanets & Gong; Whip; Percussion Tutti)
16:10 - Fugue: Tutti, Allegro molto
Philharmonia Orchestra
Conductor: Igor Markevitch
Narrated by Sir Peter Pears
(P) HMV 1955

[@AntPDC]

INDEX 02:40 - Theme: Allegro maestoso e largamente Tutti, Woodwinds, Brass, Strings, then Percussion 03:18 - Variation A: Presto: Piccolo and Flute 03:49 - Variation B: Lento: Oboes 05:07 - Variation C: Moderato: Clarinets 05:50 - Variation D: Allegro alla marcia: Bassoons 06:46 - Variation E: Brillante: alla polacca: Violins 07:33 - Variation F: Meno mosso: Violas 08:43 - Variation G: Cellos 09:54 - Variation H: Cominciando lento ma poco a poco accel. al Allegro: Double Basses 10:55 - Variation I: Maestoso: Harp 11:50 - Variation J: L'istesso tempo: Horns 12:53 - Variation K: Vivace: Trumpets 13:26 - Variation L: Allegro pomposo: Trombones and Bass-Tuba 14:33 - Variation M: Moderato: Percussion (Timpani; Bass Drum & Cymbals; Tambourine & Triangle; Snare Drum & Wood Block; Xylophone; Castanets & Gong; Whip; Percussion Tutti) 16:10 - Fugue: Tutti, Allegro molto

[@redpandabrothergaming2139]

Music!

[@redpandabrothergaming2139]

Music!

[@dnafam8611]

yep i hate this covid 19

[@theyluv_zay9126]

im doing it for math

[@dublinpaper]

Not a completely accurate listing of the variations!

[@elizabethelam8518]

I love that we are all here because of a music class

[@jenniferhull1315]

God I have so much hw to do

[@elizabethelam8518]

@@jenniferhull1315 literally same lol

[@raygamblin8618]

Yes literally

[@wallson4491]

Quite literally

[@lenordhall3391]

Materials of Music

[@chipismine15]

Anyone else here because of music class assignment??

[@thothunter5976]

yes....

[@azitazaheer]

yep... doing it last min before I give it in

[@jaeyounglee5410]

nope

[@miloofscorpio3197]

Christianlx yup

[@em.morrisx]

Yeppp

[@shartnugget2260]

I have never been into classical music that much. Got sent here for a music assignment and now I really like this piece of music. Thank you for posting it.

[@AntPDC]

Wonderful!

[@zaranalic-lq8go13]

​@@AntPDC❤❤❤

[@natalieh.638]

im only here because of music class

[@AntPDC]

The entire planet is grateful to know that. I hope you enjoy it.

[@ariannagorbet6674]

Natalie's Little Nation I’m here because of my favorite instruments. They are clarinet, flute, bassoon, oboe, French horn, trumpet, violin, cello, trombone and tuba. I’m a bassoon fan by the way.

[@natalieh.638]

Arianna Gorbet I don’t know what most of those instruments are! 😂 you are probably very talented and I wish you the best

[@ariannagorbet6674]

Natalie's Little Nation I’m just a teenage girl who loves musical instruments.

[@duckyfluff3886]

Same lol

[@leannerichardson8293]

anyone else in the music call rn and have to watch this

[@astridirving2217]

Yh

[@user-dq9ph8fp2v]

Today I came here to watch this for an assignment and ended up fascinated. I have always loved music but this has probably made me want to try a new instrument. THANK U FOR AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE

[@AntPDC]

If yours was the only comment I had ever received, I'd consider my job done here. Thank you, and best wishes in your future musical adventures!

[@user-dq9ph8fp2v]

AntPDC you have really made an impact in a lot of people’s lives and I can only wish you the best!!!!!!! I hope u reach A million subscribers so everyone can listen to ur musical message

[@ariannagorbet6674]

This piece was my childhood when I was in elementary school. Now I’m in my senior year of high school and even though I know all the instruments, I listen to this and it brings back memories.

[@Grisostomo06]

Very well done with the different instruments slowly scrolling across the screen to go with the narration.Thanks for posting this.

[@roningaming_1]

I’m here for a music assignment but I’m actually enjoying what I’m hearing, thanks for posting.

[@AntPDC]

Thank you Stephen. Glad you enjoyed it, rather than felt it was a "chore". Many students have complained!

[@marag2763]

Thank you so much for creating this! This is my 2 1/2 year old son's favorite piece of music and we watch it again and again and again. You did a great job with the graphics. Thanks again!

[@AntPDC]

Good heavens - at 2 1/2 years old? What a lovely account!

[@marag2763]

AntPDC This is still one of our favorites! My now almost 4-year old and I are snuggling on the couch watching this right now. Thank you again!!

[@AntPDC]

How delightful! I can visualise it :)

[@philippjach8076]

haha that's my uncle sitting in front of the bassist who acts like he is playing his bass like a guitar, on the far right on the third to last picture... i really didn't expect to see a relative here though

[@leekee2578]

That’s a fun surprise congrats!

[@aidanhsu2353]

Philipp Jäch cool

[@Jestice1026]

Here in 2024 for my music quiz 😊

[@heden1460]

I know I've heard the music before but didn't realize what it was all about until just today. I tried to find the original but only saw a five minute video of it. I was glad to see this version which seems exactly like the part of the original I was able to watch.

[@arealperson123]

Is anyone here during quarantine

[@mathiasjaakson8817]

Yes

[@ariannagorbet6674]

Stratsify I am for my favorite instruments

[@avalondeathrunner8318]

Thanks for the upload, I was needing the listen for a music study.

[@AntPDC]

My pleasure.

[@sharinganchidori100]

That's actually why I'm here lol.

[@riccardosabatino]

Thank you very much for posting this highly educative and enjoyable piece! This is just so great and useful.

[@AntPDC]

A pleasure, Riccardo.

[@percabethlumity]

Such a beautiful version, the orchestra and narrator are both amazing!

[@lynneholcomb3053]

I found this enjoyable and very helpful in recognizing the various instuments in ochrastra.

[@francesinnes2145]

Such a wonderful and generously structured post, thanks so much for the indexing kindness - it is such a good piece by Purcell to unpack by Britten and that oboe gets me every time LOL

[@gingerbella4344]

I have the recorded LP of this from sometime in the 1960s. I wore it completely down as I listened to it constantly when I was a child. It has never lost its magic. Thanks for sharing. A lot of memories come flooding back when I hear it now.

[@aadibiswas1133]

amazing piece of music! Hats off to Britten for this music, and same to Purcell, but for his theme

[@MsChoralmusic]

Thank you so much for posting this. My parents would play this record for me and my sister often when we were children and it instilled a love of classical music in me.

[@AntPDC]

One of the best gifts a parent can bestow I think. Thank you for your comment Liz, and a merry Christmas.

[@MsChoralmusic]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[@aimeeperc2008]

Such useful help thank you so very much and well done 😊✅😊

[@webrarian]

I could be wrong, but I think Pears was asked to use a slightly less "posh" voice than normal. He's certainly got it spot on for the microphone - nothing is over-projected. Britten must have been very pleased with the result.

[@athanasiosmarkopoulos1128]

Excellent!

[@amandacousins928]

Which string instrument of the orchestra should I choose? What should I play?

[@amandacousins928]

The violin,since it is very agile

[@daviddeulofeu5435]

Thank you so much for this video. Incredibly helpful in studying for my Introduction to Western Classical Music exam.

[@ariannagorbet6674]

Everyone: I came here for a music lesson Me: I came here for my childhood. “adores the bassoon”

[@trinitylessthan3]

Thank you for making this!! It helped a lot with my studies. I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to music, but now I think I'll get perfect scores! :)

[@AntPDC]

Glad to hear it!

[@aidanhsu2353]

I’m not really a fan of music and I had a music assignment but I actually think this is really good

[@KabrYT]

I’m here for a music lesson but I anyoy what I hear

[@AntPDC]

What heats you most?

[@ellamarkey6918]

Great piece of music absolutely love this with a passion I listen to this day and night it soothes and puts me to to sleep and it is like my lullaby who needs pop,these millennialist today just wreck my head ❣😭😵🙃💚🔴😏😮😉🔥❤️😮📸📸☘☘👌🏻🎉🌎💓🔥👍🏻👍🏻😇🙁🙁💉🐘🖖🏻⚪️😚😃💖😭

[@dstott1376]

Why

[@AntPDC]

Why not?

[@robustfawn]

It’s so interesting to come upon material you’ve experienced before in a new context. I know this music from the soundtrack to Moonrise Kingdom, but am currently doing two separate assignments for a class about Purcell and Pears.

[@sharonzearfoss7688]

Wes Anderson often will feature Benjamin Britten in his movies!

[@harrisonrussell82]

I love it not to bad

[@daviihg_2368]

Esta muy bien hecho

[@ariannagorbet6674]

Orchestra Instruments - My Opinion Flute & Piccolo: The flute is beautiful and the piccolo sounds nice when it doesn’t hurt my ears Oboe: The oboe has a beautiful sound and it’s funny when it sounds like a duck Clarinet: My favorite instrument! The clarinet has a very beautiful sound Bassoon: The bassoon is the most beautiful low instrument, it melts my heart every time I see it Violin: The violin is a very amazing instrument, my favorite string instrument Viola: The viola sounds so nice, too bad people make unfunny jokes about it Cello: The cello is a very nice instrument, second favorite low instrument (the bassoon is my first) Double Bass: The double bass is a very cool instrument, though its lowest notes sound like the ground is shaking beneath my feet Harp: The harp is such a heavenly instrument, an instrument an angel would play French Horn: The French horn has such a nice sound and it’s kinda ridiculous that its bell is so huge Trumpet: The trumpet is a amazing instrument, my favorite brass instrument Trombone & Tuba: The trombone and tuba are both wonderful instruments, the slide makes the trombone stand out Percussion: The percussion is the nosiest instruments in the orchestra, my favorite percussion instrument is the xylophone

[@AntPDC]

Poetic insights Arianna, thank you!

[@ariannagorbet6674]

AntPDC You’re welcome

[@camilleon352]

@@ariannagorbet6674 you’re

[@ariannagorbet6674]

Connor Gavin My mistake, I fixed it,

[@faithasemota1031]

Please help me out here, (1) how can you describe the tone color, pitch and dynamics of the final section of the last piece beginning at about 14.45 ? (2) what changes in the three elements 3) did you notice when all the instrument were combined together?

[@ariannagorbet6674]

7/8 year old me: “doesn’t pay attention to the bassoon whatsoever” 17 year old me: “pays attention to the bassoon everyday of my life” 18 year old me: “still pays attention to the bassoon everyday” I became a bassoon fan when I was almost 15 years old (spring break 2018) and I’ve been adoring the bassoon ever since than no wonder how low it can play.

[@camilleon352]

I listened to this for a music history assignment but I stayed to arrange it for marching band I’m doing a British nature documentary themed show

[@AntPDC]

Do upload it Connor.

[@camilleon352]

@@AntPDC I certainly plan on it 👍

[@AntPDC]

@@camilleon352 Brilliant. Let me know when you do so!

[@spsrocky]

wow

[@loganfruchtman953]

18:33 that ending is absolutely perfect

[@danieldenshaw6267]

And how many people realise that Mike Oldfield was doing a very witty parody of this in "Tubular Bells?"

[@thrunsalmighty6863]

Daniel Denshaw Or even more so, "the intro to the outtro" by the "Bonzo dog doodah band".

[@danieldenshaw6267]

Indeed. And it was, of course, Vivian Stanshall who did the Tubular Bells Narration. OMG, I have encountered a cultural person commenting on You Tube! xxx

[@bingola45]

thrunsalmighty 'Outtro' seems to have become a real word since then; spoiling the joke.

[@thrunsalmighty6863]

bingola45 In that case, I am glad I heard the joke before it got spoiled.

[@AntPDC]

+thrunsalmighty me too

[@kidharpoon714]

AMAZING!!!!

[@saradealmeida5333]

Hello! Is there a version available with closed captioning? It is a really wonderful video, and I appreciate the time you took to make it. Thank you !

[@thothunter5976]

I wonder if any of my fellpw Queens School 8DF claasmates are brpwsing through the commemt section....hmmm

[@williamwu391]

I love it!

[@russhendrix9674]

Moonrise Kingdom

[@lucasfreer7838]

Why is it that when the percussion is featured, the melodic percussion doesn't play?

[@AntPDC]

Which melodic percussion did you have in mind?

[@lucasfreer7838]

Xylophone specifically, it plays at 0:50 but not at 2:40 when percussion is featured

[@ashiajenkind5145]

Who here due to music class

[@liamsweeney9240]

1.1k music teachers liked this and 136 music students were so bored watching they disliked it.

[@AntPDC]

Maybe the "bored students" should get a special school prize? C'mon, we know they deserve it.

[@liamsweeney9240]

@@AntPDC I don't know exactly understand what you're trying to do there but you put together a video which is very good at explaining how an orchestra works, a topic which is not very interesting to most of the people watching.

[@AntPDC]

@@liamsweeney9240 Educate, in my small way. How about you?

[@jpatrickcooke9615]

I'm here for a music assignment to.

[@ariannagorbet6674]

I blushed at the bassoon, don’t judge Edit: I don’t know why I blushed at the bassoon but it’s my favorite low instrument and it catches my attention in a blink of an eye. I guess that’s life as a bassoon fan.

[@juliabehrens585]

Das ist richtig mega super geil❤️😬❤️

[@Mario-jr9vl]

finde ich auch :D

[@SahelDontCare]

Who’s here because of music class in online school

[@ariannagorbet6674]

In elementary school, I thought the bassoon (the wooden body) was red. I didn’t know barely anything about the bassoon back then, I only knew the basics (the bassoon is a woodwind, it plays low, etc...) Now I know that I was a little off (I learned that the bassoon is monogany not red.)

[@AntPDC]

Thank you Arianna. The bassoon, being a woodwind instrument, could be made of any type of wood, of any colour, but maple has always been the favoured material. Nowadays even plastic materials are used!

[@ariannagorbet6674]

AntPDC I know a lot more about the bassoon now than when I was in elementary school.

[@user-wi5of9ky5u]

great!!!!!!

[@zaranalic-lq8go13]

❤

[@redpandabrothergaming2139]

Music!

[@amiriyasullivan1473]

I’m sleepy...and here for a music assignment

[@AntPDC]

Poor you. How hard life is.

[@amandacousins928]

How do I learn to play the violin

[@amandacousins928]

It’s very difficult to play,it needs a expert

[@amandacousins928]

It is very difficult to play

[@amandacousins928]

It needs a expert

[@zinebelmouslih4790]

grr homework

[@patrikznidersic6668]

me too

[@jumpcat4986]

I’m here for a math class, the mathmetics behind music (smile)

[@user-ng6jp1sf6h]

Очень выразительный дирижёр, ещё хорошо это произведение исполнил дирижёр Майкл Тилсон

[@titaneser]

this isnt acually as boring as said ;-;

[@Epicgamer-qj1iq]

who else had to watch this cos of school

[@ickes2255]

I’m here from Moonrise kingdom 10 years ago

[@titaneser]

what does it mean by Op. 34?

[@AntPDC]

In musical composition, the opus (Op.) number is the "work number" that is assigned to a musical composition, or to a set of compositions, to indicate the chronological order of the composer's production. Opus numbers are used to distinguish among compositions with similar titles; the word is abbreviated as "Op." for a single work, or "Opp." when referring to more than one work.

[@kaylac2397]

Were all here because of a music class :,)

[@barneybaker9098]

We’re only here cause of music class

[@matthewlawrence7078]

Hi

[@matthewlawrence7078]

What is the profile pic

[@barneybaker9098]

@@matthewlawrence7078 I dunno

[@matthewlawrence7078]

Lol

[@astridirving2217]

Who else is do this for a music quuz

[@kristenkim]

Yayyy cellos

[@arynica]

Does anyone know which of Purcell's pieces Britten borrowed the theme from?

[@AntPDC]

Please see the Description.

[@seaotter4439]

Tl:dr, The theme is quoted from the Rondeau from Henry Purcell's scoring of _Abdelazer._

[@nat5637]

im just here cos my music teacher set this assignment

[@sherry-annjoseph7274]

is this the original?

[@AntPDC]

+Sherry-Ann Joseph Sorry I'm late - yes it is.

[@onetwothree538]

who’s here from HA

[@dylanxta9792]

MrZavii yes zav

[@onetwothree538]

Yes yes Dylan

[@ezradreed]

How does he describe the oboe?

[@AntPDC]

Watch the video and find out for yourself.

[@v3n0m507]

If you are reading this comment, your in class. Thats a fact 🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿

[@candacesvlogs3340]

what is the genre and what instruments are used here?

[@AntPDC]

I think you might want to watch the video to get the answers you seek.

[@ariannagorbet6674]

Candace’s Vlogs Orchestral Edit: The instruments are the flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba and the percussion family.

[@daviihg_2368]

Ja ja je

[@sirezio8607]

Not really a fan of this music assignment I have to do but this vid is not to bad

[@AntPDC]

It will grow on you Ezio, as it did with me when I was your age - at least I hope so. Glad it's not "too bad" though ;) Best wishes.

[@muffyspencer3849]

i am here because of a music lesson (BORING)

[@AntPDC]

Poor Muffy.

[@ariannagorbet6674]

I came because of my childhood and my favorite instruments.

[@emmakent4861]

This is boring but I love the sounds

[@liye2071]

Ahhhhhhhhh

[@spaplikesgaming2230]

anyone got the answers?

[@AntPDC]

What is the question?

[@ariannagorbet6674]

The answers to what?

[@carlotaschleichasencion5968]

jador

[@hanjuuryoku]

i wonder if my fellow park school friends are browsing through the comments.. hmmmmm if so uhhh hello

[@Batknight109]

whos here from class

[@begiyvn594]

ok

[@kharges0530]

I’m here only for a assignment 🙄

[@AntPDC]

It must be so horrible for you to have to learn something, no?

[@Altanis1]

@@AntPDC nobody cares about music, maybe instead of deluding urself into thinking that "musical education" is an actual form of education, you should try being a bit more considerate to people struggling in high school who are barely getting through their APs, extra curriculars, and regents exams instead of making snide remarks at them in the replies.

[@AntPDC]

@@Altanis1 Thank you for your comment. I was curious about your ludicrous assertion that "nobody cares about music". Then I took a quick look at your Channel. Enough said.

[@Altanis1]

@@AntPDC ​ @AntPDC ah yes attack me with ad hominem fallacies to make ur point even more invalid LMFAO and no its not that "nobody cares about music", its that you continuously stress that musical elements _need_ to be taught. tell me one good reason why i need to learn about time signatures and beats?

[@AntPDC]

@@Altanis1 Where is the "fallacy" in my comment? And I don't "continuously stress that musical elements need to be taught". On the contrary, I love music for what it is, and have always considered the mechanics secondary to that. What have you got against the teaching of musical skills: of instruments, of theory, of performance? Music is among the World's most important art forms. Why so hostile?

[@David-jt9nt]

Im not going to lie I got this for an assignment and this is just pissing me off and makes me hate all music more than I already did

[@AntPDC]

What troubles you about it? Any thoughts as to why you hate music?

[@David-jt9nt]

@@AntPDC I have never been a fan of music; the only exception to this that has been found in my entire life is music by Sabaton due to its historic story telling Even when I'm doing 7-8 hour drives I listen to books, music just annoys the living sh*t out of me for no known reason, and I live in the US so I'm not going to go try and find out and end up 1000s in debt I cant afford

[@AntPDC]

I am very sorry to hear that David. You have a singular point of view.@@David-jt9nt

[@David-jt9nt]

@@AntPDC yell me how does not liking music mean I have signal point of view

[@AntPDC]

Well, 99% of people do enjoy music.@@David-jt9nt

[@LiamDoubleU]

100th comment

[@rachaelbutt9627]

bleagh

[@kamrong4629]

I hate music class 🙄☝️

[@einasmohamed1128]

dont like music this is for school

[@slytherinmadi3113]

This is so boring

[@camerontorres2285]

is Anyone else here because of music class assignment??