EDWARD NICOL (Tenor)
THE WIRELESS MILITARY BAND
Conducted by B. WALTON O'DONNELL
SPANISH dance rhythms have attracted most Russian composers at some time. This Caprice consists of a string of short Movements in various Spanish styles, which follow one another without pause. The first is an Alborado, or morning greeting—a vigorous 'waking-up' piece. Next we have a tiny set of Variations on a theme. Then the Alborado is repeated, with varied orchestration. A Scene and Gipsy Song follows, and the last dance is a Fandango (originally a dance to the accompaniment of guitar and castanets).
Coleridge-Taylor wrote this musical accompaniment lor Keats' poem for use at a Keats and Shelley Festival in 1910. THERE are three Movements in the Suite arranged from the music.
The First is headed ' That ancient Beadsman heard the prelude soft.' The stanza beginning with this line goes on :.... Soon, up aloft,
The silver, snarling trumpets 'gan to chide; The level chambers, ready with their pride, Were glowing to receive a thousand guests; The carved angels, ever eager-eyed,
Star'd, where upon their heads the cornice rests,
With hair blown back, and wings put crosswise on their breasts.
The Second has the quotation ' Her maiden eyes divine.' Thus the poet speaks of ' thoughtful Madeline,' to whom came in vain ' many a tip-toe, amorous cavalier,' for her heart was otherwhere.'
The Third piece in the set is headed ' Now tell me where is Madeline ? ' the words of Porphyro, the hero, who comes among bloodthirsty foes to seek his beloved maiden.