Prior to Five Flower Songs, Britten composed Amo Ergo Sum, a wedding anthem written for the marriage of a publisher's daughter. After this trip, Britten set about writing a number of smaller pieces to fulfill promises or to present to friends. During the last months of 1949, Britten, along with tenor Peter Pears, embarked on a recital tour of North America. In addition, the well-known Spring Symphony (1949), a work for full chorus and orchestra, was composed while Britten was waiting on more of the libretto for Billy Budd to be completed. He had begun working on his opera based on the Herman Melville novel Billy Budd in 1949, which was finished in late 1951. This piece was composed during a busy time for Britten. Holst, the daughter of the famed English composer Gustav Holst, was a musical assistant to Britten from 1952 until 1964. The Five Flower Songs were first performed at Dartington Hall on July 23, 1950, under the direction of Imogen Holst. In the early part of 1951, Benjamin Britten composed a set of Five Flower Songs for unaccompanied chorus, in honor of Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst on the occasion of their 25h wedding anniversary.
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