by Hilda Bor (Pianoforte)
Danse Espagnole (Villanesca) (Spanish Dance)...Granados

Danse Rituelle du Feu (Fire Ritual Dance)...De Falla

In the first half of the eighteenth century Leo held a foremost position in the musical world of Italy, as composer of church music and of comic operas. Many of these latter were, by all accounts, really humorous, with the music as well as the texts contributing to the merriment. They are thus among the earliest examples in a long line of distinguished work which reached its highest point in Verdi's Falstaff.

Leo was no less distinguished as a teacher, numbering among his pupils Piccini, who is best remembered today by his quarrel with the great Gluck. He was a strict master, but one who earned the sincere affection of his pupils, and at least one happy instance of that is recorded. Leo had dedicated one of his works to King Charles Emmanuel of Savoy, and had refused to allow other copies of the music to be made. His pupils. however, succeeded in writing it out without his knowledge, and performing it for their master's benefit.

A number of his Comic Operas are preserved in Italian libraries, and our British Museum has several examples of his sacred works. But he left also a considerable volume of purely instrumental pieces, and as listeners will hear for themselves in this one, he had a very happy gift of fresh and joyous melody.