(From Birmingham)
THE City OF BIRMINGHAM POLICE BAND
Conducted by RICHARD WASSELL
COLERIDGE-TAYLOR was responsible for the incidental music to more than one of the late Sir Herbert Tree 's productions, and in 1910 was commissioned by him to compose music for a fairy play by Alfred Noyes , called The Forest of Wild Thynte. Tho production never took place, but Coleridge-Taylor had the wisdom to make use of his music in other ways, and the five pieces which he incorporated in this Suite were taken from it. His three dream dances, and the Christmas Oratorio, were also parts of the music designed originally for the same occasion.
The five movements in this Suite have no indication of the scenes which the composer imagined in the ballet, and it is best to let tho pieces convey their own meaning to the listener. The first is throughout in a very quick time ; the second begins more slowly, but with a hurrying section in the middle; the third is in Minuet rhythm, though not strictly in Minuet form ; the fourth is rather slower, and the fifth goes throughout at the fastest of speeds. (Soloist, P. C. COOK> )