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BBC Symphony Orchestra
of 100 players
Leader Paul Beard
Solo pianist, Albert Ferber
Conducted by Basil Cameron
From the Corn Exchange, Bedford

7.15 Overture: Leonora, No. 1...Beethoven

7.27 app. Symphony No. 4, in D minor...Schumann

This symphony is an extremely romantic work. At first Schumann thought of entitling it 'Symphonic Fantasy,' but later he decided that as it was constructed on the general lines of a symphony it had better be called a symphony. It contains certain features unusual at the date when it was written. Not only are the four movements intended to be played through without a break, but thematically they are fairly closely related. For instance, the theme of the slow movement (Romance) derives from that of the introduction, and there is also a close affinity between the material of the first and last movements. Many hard things have been said about Schumann's orchestral technique and his inability to work out his ideas in true symphonic style. The fact remains, however, that he poured into the mould of the symphony a wealth of beautiful music, which is developed in a somewhat improvisatory manner.

8.0 app. Interval: Robin Hull on Rachmaninoff's Piano Concertos

8.15 app. Piano Concerto No. 1, in F sharp minor...Rachmaninoff

Rachmaninoff has written four piano concertos, the last three of which retain an important place in the repertoire. The No. 1, in F sharp minor, is not so well known. It is a very early work, revised by the composer in 1917, and not published until 1919. It is dedicated to Siloti, who was one of Rachmaninoff's teachers when he was a pupil at the Moscow Conservatoire. The music, as one might expect in a youthful work, is free from the composer's characteristic melancholy.
(Ralph Hill)

Mephisto Waltz (Dance in the Village Inn)...Liszt