David Stewart wrote:

>1. Owen sees the world leaders at the time as Abraham and deliberately
>destroy one-by-one the seed of europe.  Britten simply for irony's sake
>sets it against Owens old testament and the boys who are to die make their
>presence felt which gives more weight to the 'crime' of the world leaders
>as they are responsible for their deaths.

I do believe that you have gotten it right with this statement.  The
comparison between the world leader's (who did not stay their hand) and
Abraham (who did) is the most poignant moment in the work, especially if
the listener is familiar with the second canticle which is quoted.  You
might wish to read what both Humphrey Carpenter and Donald Mitchell have
to say about the war requiem in their respective and respectable Britten
tomes!

>2. Britten uses his resources to mock Christianity

I can hardly imagine Britten mocking anyone given what I have read (which
is a lot) about his pacifistic personality.  He was a great humanitarian
and I cannot imagine hime striking out at any specific group except perhaps
war mongers.

Kevin Sutton