(From Birmingham)
THE BIRMINGHAM STUDIO ORCHESTRA
Conducted by JOSEPH LEWIS
WINTER is presented in the first scene of the Ballet. It opens with the entrance of the god Janus, who presides over the year. There are a few introductory chords, then an energetic dance in moderate tempo beginning softly, rising rapidly to fortissimo and dying away. With a golden key Janus opens the earth and gives life to all the seasons. Thero appears a large hamper covered with ice ; from it emerges the first ot the seasons—Winter, in the form of a young woman enveloped in furs, behind her three girls carrying bundles. They shiver with cold-a dainty, delicate dance in duple time, pianissimo. There are three silent bars, and one of the girls strikes sparks with flint and steel and lights a fire.
They warm themselves and invite Winter to draw near the flame, but she refuses. The best way to fan the flames is to dance, another sprightly dance in the same measure, leading to one with something of Neapolitan character; and then, to a still more vigorous rhythm, the music grows faster and louder, and Winter goes out noisily
Breezes blow about the hamper and, with their warmth, molt the icicles that still hang on it. From every side appear masses of flowers, and from their midst Spring comes forth in the guise of a young maid. There is a dainty movement in 6-8 tempo, making way for a mazurka.
The flowers disappear ; the hamper covers itself anew with golden ears of corn. Summer, in the form of a maid, emerges from the midst of the sheaves. The gathering of the corn-a languorous 6-8 ; Summer and hot companions would dance, but the heat oppresses them-a now melody in the same rhythm. The music of this scene finishes in the same vivacious measure which introduced the Naiads.
At the beginning of the fourth scene, a group of maidens, startled by a Faun, rush away, the Faun following ; joyous sounds are heard in the distance: the Faun listens attentively. The hamper covers itself with fruits; the Faun dances round it, finally leaping upon it. Autumn appears; she and her companions are cloaked with ripening corn and the fruits of the earth. A vivacious dance makes way soon for a slower rhythm; this leads to a return of the former dance, and the music alternates between robust vigour and delicacy, to bring the ballet to an end in a mood of bustling merriment.