Leader, ALFRED CAVE
Conducted by H. FOSTER CLARK The Island of Death
It is difficult to say who was the first composer to be inspired by the paintings of the Swiss artist Arnold Bocklin (1827-1901). Edwin Evans has suggested that Heinrich Schulz-Neuthen (1838-191 5) was first in the field with h;, symphonic poem based on Böcklin's 'The Island of Death '. Max Reger ', 'Four Tone Poems after Böcklin' includes a dramatic interpretation u ' The Island of Death ' which, though shorter than Rachmaninov's symphonic poem, captures the atmosphere of th picture with great sympathy and under standing.
This interesting work of Max Reger shows a side of his art that is scarcely known in England. Falla's ' The Three-Cornered Hat
The Three-Cornered Hat is founded on a Spanish story in which a pompou corregidor seeks to seduce a miller': virtuous wife, only to meet with defea at the hands of the lady and her watchful spouse. In the first of the three Dances it is the eve of St. John's Festival, and the miller's neighbours have gathered about his house to dance. while the wine cup passes round. The second number is danced by the miller himself, and the music presents an unmistakable picture of his sturdy figure.
At the opening of the third dance all is confusion ; several themes are intricately woven together, and two rhythms are heard together. The dance itself is a brilliant Jota-one of the oldest and most popular traditiona' dance forms of Northern Spain.