THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM ORCHESTRA
Conducted by LESLIE HEWARD
DURING the world-war King Albert of Belgium, like several of the great people involved in it, compiled an album of pictures, music, verse, and stories, which was sold for the benefit of war charities. Distinguished people in most of the allied countries lent their aid, and this Carillon was contributed by Sir Edward Elgar. It was composed as music to accompany the recitation of a poem by Emile Cammaerts -Sing, Belgians, sing—and had a Prelude and interludes between tho verses. The music, not only those parts which were originally meant to be heard without a speaking voice, is so full of dignity and power that it long ago had to be specially arranged for performance apart from the poem : in that form it is much better known than if it had remained true to its first purpose, ranking among the best-beloved of Elgar's shorter orchestral pieces. But its performance this week has a special significance when we recall the occasion which inspired it. i