Conductor, Sir DAN GODFREY
CLIFFORD CURZON (Pianoforte)
From The Pavilion, Bournemouth
Twenty-five years ago, when the Pianoforte
Concerto had its first performance in England at a Promenade Concert, Delius was practically unknown here, and it was to be many years yet before he found the recognition that his friends claimed for him. Sir Thomas Beccham 's presentation of the opera, A Village Romeo and Juliet, marked the beginning of his popularity. Deliiis was then about fifty. This work is in the three orthodox movements, but between the first and second movements there is scarcely a break, while the second runs right into the third.
Joseph Joachim Raff was a pupil of Liszt, and was regarded as a musician of importance in the middle of last century. He held high positions, inspired public admiration for his very numerous compositions, and died in 1882. His reputation dwindled rapidly after his death, and except for one or two very popular pianoforte pieces, his music is Jittle heard. Of his eleven symphonies, however, this one figures occasionally in symphony concert programmes. Its descriptive title, ' In the Forest,' is borne out in the separate movements. The first is entitled ' In the daytime ' (Impressions and Feelings) ; the second movement, ' Twilight,' consists of a slow movement (' Dreaming ') and a Scherzo (' Dance of the Dryad ') ; the last movement, ' At Night,' is described as ' The busy stillness of night in the Forest. -