Olga Haley (mezzo-soprano)
Harry Isaacs (pianoforte)
The Griller String Quartet:
Sydney Griller (violin) ; Jack O'Brien (violin) ; Philip Burton (viola) ;
Colin Hampton (violoncello)
In its original four-movement form this fine quintet dates from 1904-5. But Bridge was dissatisfied with it-for one thing, it was far too long-and revised drastically in 1912. Among other alterations, he telescoped the second and third movements, using part of the scherzo as a contrasting section in the middle of the slow movement, one of Bridge's finest inspirations. The finale concludes with a reference to the first movement.
Arnold Bax 's Third String Quartet was written last year and is dedicated to the Griller Quartet. It is strictly classical in form. According to the composer himself, the exuberant first movement ' was probably influenced by the coming of the spring in beautiful Kenmare '. The slow movement may be allowed to speak for itself. The third movement', Bax tells us, ' consists of two strongly opposed elements-a rather sinister and malicious scherzo, and a dreamy, remotely romantic trio. This contest is finally won by the scherzo, when it converts the subject of the trio to its own way of thinking. The texture of the finale is rougher and more robust than that of the rest'of the work, though there is a softening of the mood towards the abrupt and impetuous closing bars '.