Season 1935-6
Second Concert
Relayed from Queen's Hall, London
(Sole Lessees, Messrs. Cltappell and Co., Ltd.)
Solo pianoforte,
JOSEF HOFMANN
THE BBC SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA
Leader, ARTHUR CATTERALL
Conducted by Sir HAMILTON HARTY
' Don Juan ' was the first of Strauss's tone poems that showed him to be a composer of genius and a worthy successor to Liszt. The music is based on the hero of the poem by Lenau, describing the adventures of Don Juan in his crazy search for his ideal of incarnate womanhood.
There are four principal themes heard at the outset, all glowing with the youthful ardour of the quest.
The second section of the poem, which is quoted in the score, tells of disillusionment.
The closing section represents
Don Juan 's death and his despair in realising that life has lost its charm for him.
As might be expected of this concerto by Chopin, the pianoforte part completely overshadows the orchestra. The solo part'is, however, real piano music, designed to display the poetic qualities of the instrument as none could do better than Chopin.
The second movement is a Romance, of which Chopin himself said, ' It is intended to convey the impression received when the eye rests on a beloved landscape on a moonlight night in spring, calling up in one's soul beautiful memories '.
The brilliant last movement is, however, generally considered the most effective of the three.