DOROTHY PHILLIPS (Soprano)
THE Prelude of Jarnefelt is a very unassuming and free-and-easy piece. Over a tripping quick-march accompaniment a gay tune is given out by one instrument after another, usually overlapping itself in orderly confusion. Then comes n little touch of sentiment in another key, find the first part returns. Jarnefelt (one of the few prominent Finnish Composers besides Sibelius) happened to hit off the right thing with this bit of musical frivolity. Nothing else of his is nearly so well known.
THE opening scene of Sadko is laid in the part, of Novgorod, where the assembly of merchants from many countries— Italy, India, and Norway, and other lands, allows the Composer to introduce a great deal of 'local colour,' as these people extol the beauties of their native countries.
A Hindu merchant sings this placid, dreamy song.