(From Birmingham)
The BIRMINGHAM STUDIO AUGMENTED
ORCHESTRA
(Leader, FRANK CANTELL)
Conducted by JOSEPH LEWIS
Overture, ' Much Ado About Nothing ' Coronation March and Hymn Symphonic Poem, ' Hamlet Solemn March
March Rhapsody on Original Themes
A S everybody knows, Sir Edward German first
A made his mark by incidental music wiitten for the theatre, particularly for Shakespeare plays. The Overture, Much Ado About Nothing, along with many other attractive numbers, was composed for a production of the play, in 1898, by the late Sir George Alexander at the St. James' Theatre.
HAMLET made its first appearance at the Birmingham Festival of 1897. The composer tells us that he has endeavoured to depict the character of Hamlet as stern and relentless yet, in his moods, alternately hesitating and impetuous. The influence of this character may be said to dominate the entire work.
Hamlet's love for Ophelia is overpowered by his doubts, his distrust of the Queen, and his determination to avenge the murder of his father ; his fury reaches its height as he stabs the King.
The poison which Hamlet has received from the weapon of Laertes now begins to take effect, and hence to the end the music is descriptive of the ebbing away of his life.