(Section C)
Led by Laurance Turner
Conductor, Sir Adrian Boult
Florence Hooton (violoncello)
(First Broadcast Performance)
Born in London, York Bowen studied composition and the pianoforte at the Royal Academy of Music. Long ago recognised as a pianist of brilliant attainments, he is also a gifted composer. His own instrument has naturally been generously treated with three concertos and many smaller pieces, but he has done notable work for the orchestra too. His latest composition is the Rhapsody to be heard this evening.
Albert Roussel , born at Tourcoing in 1869, was educated at Tourcoing Naval College. In 1894 he left the Navy and decided to devote himself to music.
Accordingly he went to Paris and studied under Gigout, and two years later became one of Vincent d'Indy's first pupils at the newly-formed Schola Cantorum, where he was appointed a professor in 1902, and in 1904 he wrote his first symphony ' Le Poeme de la foret
During the war Roussel served with the Red Cross on the Marne, and then with the motor transport at Verdun and on the Somme. Since that time a number of important works have come from his pen, including three more symphonies, several chamber works, and the present Concerto for small orchestra. He died on August 23.