Morriston Boys' Choir (Pentrepoeth Boys School, Morriston), trained by Ivor Sims, gave the first performance of Britten's boys voices version of A Ceremony of Carols in London 1943. It was so successful that the composer himself asked Decca to record them. Many of the boys went on to sing with the Morriston Orpheus Choir.

1PD14 Britten Premieres
Features the original soundtrack from Way to the Sea (1937) conducted by the composer and gramophone premieres of;

• Around the Village Green; Irish Reel
• Soirees Musicales

- Charles Brill Orchestra

• Introduction and Rondo alla Burlesca
• Mazurka Eligiaca

- Benjamin Britten and Clifford Curzon (pianos)

• A Ceremony of Carols

- Morriston Boys Choir, Maria Korchinska (harp), conductor Ivor E Sims

Although no longer availabe on disc you can download the tracks for only £0.79 each or £7.99 for the whole album from

Morriston orpheus Male Choir was founded by Ivor Sims who conducted the choir from 1935 to 1961. In the years immediately following its formation the Choir concentrated primarily on competitions and local concerts. Success followed with the National Eisteddfod at Machynlleth in 1937. During the Second World War rehearsals and concerts continued without interruptions, even during the blitz on Swansea. It was however, post war that the Orpheus entered its most eminent period. The post war choir developed a reputation for rich tone and delicacy of singing and it was this sound that Decca captured when making the first stereo recording of the choir in the Soar Chapel in 1958.

Read more at the Morriston Orpheus Choir website.

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