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British composers

Study note

Britain has produced and adopted many notable composers of classical music. George Frideric Handel was born in Germany but became a British citizen in 1727, and he composed the oratorio Messiah, which is still sung by choirs today. Sir Edward Elgar, born in Worcester, is best known for his Pomp and Circumstance Marches.

Gustav Holst composed The Planets, a famous orchestral suite, and Benjamin Britten was known for his operas. A helpful way to remember the key pairings is Handel with the Messiah and Holst with The Planets. Watch out for questions that swap these around, for example suggesting Elgar wrote The Planets, which is not correct, as that piece was composed by Holst.

Memory tip: Handel (Messiah), Elgar, Holst (The Planets), Britten, famous British composers.

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Question 1 of 3

Which composer wrote The Planets?

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Show all questions and answers for British composers(3 questions with explanations)

British composers: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Which composer wrote The Planets?

    • Benjamin Britten
    • Edward Elgar
    • Henry Purcell
    • Gustav Holst

    Correct answer: Gustav Holst

    Gustav Holst composed The Planets.

  2. 2. Which composer, born in Germany, became British and wrote the Messiah?

    • William Walton
    • Gustav Holst
    • Edward Elgar
    • George Frideric Handel

    Correct answer: George Frideric Handel

    Handel, born in Germany, became a British citizen and composed the Messiah.

  3. 3. Which of these statements is correct?

    • Edward Elgar composed The Planets
    • Gustav Holst composed The Planets

    Correct answer: Gustav Holst composed The Planets

    Gustav Holst composed The Planets.

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