The Wireless Military Band, conducted by B. Walton O'Donnell
Winifred Davis (Mezzo-Soprano)
In 1880 the University of Breslau made Brahms a Doctor of Philosophy, and this was a graceful recognition of the honour. The title may sound rather solemn, but the Overture is one of the gayest pieces of music Brahms wrote. It was originally scored for Full Orchestra, with plenty of 'percussion' - Kettle Drums, Big Drum, Cymbals, and Triangle. Today we have it in an arrangement for Military Band.
The chief themes are all well-known German students' songs. Some of them are familiar also to us in England.
There are four such popular tunes in the Overture. It starts with an original theme, come followed by another Tune (also Brahms's own and a return of the melody. This is worked up a little, and then a few bars of soft music introduce the First Main Tune, rather like a hymn tune, played by Trumpets. This is known as The Stately House.
The next Tune is a livelier one-The Father of his Country.
The Third Tune is the Freshman's Song (dating from the early eighteenth century), which is humorously blurted out. The brass-and-reed chorus takes it up, the instruments joining ii in turn, as a scattered company of student-coming home from a jollification might do.
The last Tune to be used is Gaudeamus igitur, known to University students the world over. which brings the 'Overture to a high-spirited close.
The ‘Phantasy' The Three Bears is a musical presentation of the well-known tale about the little girl and her strange adventure. We have no difficulty in interpreting the motif heard at the start - ‘Who's been sitting in my chair?' Goldilocks gets up (at five o'clock, as we hear), and runs off to the bears' house. Finding it empty, she peeps about and amuses herself awhile, then falls asleep. The bears arrive (each suggested by an appropriate instrument), and chase her away. Goldilocks runs home to Granny and tells her of the exciting adventure.