(Section C)
Led by LAURANCE TURNER
Conducted by CLARENCE RAYBOULD
ESTHER FISHER (pianoforte)
This Overture is a tone picture of autumn in Norway. A short introduction, with a wistful little tune shared by oboe and flute, leads to the principal quick section in the minor key, in which the first main theme is soon heard-a strongly rhythmic measure. A calmer section brings us to the second main tune, played by horns and clarinets-a more gracious and cheerful melody.
Although Cyril Scott wrote several ambitious works at the beginning of his career, it was as a composer of short piano pieces and songs that he made his name. His use of daring harmonies of the kind associated with ' impressionism ' and his graceful and expressive turn of melody earned him the title of ' the English Debussy '.
Cyril Scott 's Piano Concerto, published in 1922, is a work of great strength and beauty, and is admirably written from a pianistic point of view.