Benjamin Britten’s Spring Symphony, Op. 44, was composed in 1948–49 on commission from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Britten described it as “a symphony not only dealing with the Spring itself but with the progress of Winter to Spring and the reawakening of the earth and life which that means.” It is dedicated to Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and it lasts about 45 minutes.

The work is scored for soprano, alto and tenor soloists, chorus, boys’ choir and orchestra. Britten treats the chorus and soloists in changing combinations, so the piece moves between choral writing, solo song and orchestral interlude rather than following a conventional symphonic layout.

Spring Symphony is organized in four parts, with texts by several English poets ranging from the 16th century to W. H. Auden. The opening “Introduction” and the later finale frame a sequence that includes “The Merry Cuckoo,” “Spring,” “The Driving Boy,” “The Morning Star,” “Welcome, maids of honour,” “Waters above,” “Out on the Lawn,” “When will my May come,” “Fair and fair,” “Sound the Flute,” and “London, to thee I do present,” ending with “Sumer is icumen in” in the boys’ choir. The result is a choral symphony that combines seasonal imagery, varied vocal writing and bright, detailed orchestral color.