Relayed from the National Museum of Wales.

National Orchestra of Wales

Rameau, after a busy life as violinist, organist and theorist, took up work of quite a new order, for him - the composition of opera. When he died (in 1764), at the age of eighty, he had written over a score of Operas and Ballets.
Here are three charming examples of his skill in dance music- a Minuet, a Musette (the Musette was once the shepherd's bagpipe), and a 'Tambourin'.

The 'Preludes', says Lamartine, are Life's scenes, for what is Life but a series of preludes to the song that Death begins?
There is the Prelude of Love, and the tempests that break in upon its joy. There is another Prelude in which the unhappy lover seeks balm in quiet retirement from the world; but when the trumpet peals, he rushes to the fight, finding his real strength in battle.
These ideas gave Liszt scope for picturesque, vivid music, in the Symphonic Poem we are to hear.

(to 12.45)