(From Birmingham)
THE BIRMINGHAM STUDIO AUGMENTED ORCHESTRA
(Leader, FRANK CANTELL)
Conducted by JOSEPH LEWIS GORDON BRYAN (Pianoforte)
THERE is a story told of this Concerto, to the effect that Rubinstein suggested it, proposing that he and Saint Saens should appear together as con.; duct or and pianist respectively, in a. concerto by the French master. We are told that only three weeks were available for the composition of the new work, but that Saint-Saēns completed the task triumphantly, well within the allotted time, playing it himself on its first appearance with complete success.
The work bears no traces of hasty workmanship ; it is throughout conceived in that happy spirit which suggests that the ideas flowed swiftly and easily from its composer's thought.
The first movement begins with a brilliant tlourish for the soloist, and the pianoforte has matters largely in its own hands,
The second movement is pretty much in the usual scherzo and trio form, the pianoforte introducing the first vivacious theme almost at the outset.
The last movement is, to all intents and purposes, a brilliant and vivacious Tarantelle; it brings the work to an end in the gayest of bright spirits.