National Orchestra of Wales
(Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Cymru)
Conducted by Warwick Braithwaite

The story of Mozart's opera, The Magic Flute, is one of which nobody tries to make sense. It is a strange, almost grotesque blend of religious and masonic ritual with two human love stories, one of them of even childish order. The music, however, is so rich in all the qualities which Mozart lovers admire that no one bothers very much about the story.
The Overture begins with an impressive slow section, illustrating the priestcraft of the tale, and there follows a merry theme which the second violins begin, to be imitated in turn by the other instruments. The solemn tones of the beginning are heard again, and thereafter the sprightly tune appears with a tinge of melancholy in its strain, and again proceeds on its hurrying way.

(to 23.00)