from Queen's Hall, London
(Sole Lessees, Messrs. Chappell and Co. Ltd.)
Part 1
Norman Walker (baritone)
Harriet Cohen (pianoforte)
The BBC Symphony Orchestra (ninety players)
Leader, Paul Beard
Conducted by Sir Henry J. Wood
Bax's Symphonic Variations were composed specially for Harriet Cohen while she was one of the students of the Royal Academy of Music. Although only half-way through her teens, she gave the work its first performance at a Promenade Concert in 1920. Since that time the composer has revised and shortened the work considerably. The Variations, though based on the theme which can be heard in one form or another throughout, are treated with much freedom and each has a definite mood of its own. The first, 'Nocturne', is for the most part dreamy arid quiet. It leads quite suddenly to No. 2, 'Strife', which is violent and dramatic as its title suggests. No.3, entitled 'The Temple', is slow and solemn in character. Variation 4, 'Play', forms a striking contrast with the third, and an Intermezzo, 'Enchantment' that follows, is again in a very different atmosphere. The fifth and last variation is called 'Triumph'. Towards the end the whole orchestra gives us the original theme once more, and the piece comes to a jubilant close. Tickets can be obtained from the British Broadcasting Corporation, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, W.1, Messrs. Chappell's Box Office, Queen's Hall, Langham Place, W.1, and the usual Agents. Prices: 7s. 6d., 6s., 5s. (reserved); 3s. (unreserved), Promenade (payment at doors only), 2s.