(Section E)
Led by Marie Wilson
Conducted by Constant Lambert

'La Reine'
Haydn's Symphony 'La Reine' owes its name to Queen Marie Antoinette , who, it is said, was very fond of it. It is the fourth of the Paris Symphonies. It is scored for quite a small orchestra: strings and two flutes, oboes, bassoons, and horns. The second movement is notable for a set of variations on the theme of a French song, 'La gentille et jeune Lisette'.

Russlan and Ludmilla
Glinka was the father of modem Russian music, and Russlan and Ludmilla, his second opera, was one of the first big works of a really national character which the composer produced. The tale is founded on an early poetical romance by Pushkin. It is a blend of fairy lore and old Russian legend. Ludmilla, the daughter of a Grand Duke, has three suitors, of whom she prefers the Knight Russian. She is carried off by magic powers, and the whole story is taken up with Russian's heroic conflict with these and his overcoming of one dread magic spell after another to win his bride in the end.