Season 1935-6
Relayed from Queen's Hall, London
(Sole Lesees, Messrs. Chappell and Co., Ltd.)
Last Concert of the Series
NOEL EADIE
ASTRA DESMOND
HENRY WENDON
WALTER WIDDOP
ARNOLD MATTERS
NORMAN WALKER
THE BBC CHORAL SOCIETY
Chorus Master, LESLIE WOODGATE
THE BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Leader, ARTHUR CATTERALL
Conductor, ADRIAN BOULT
God save the King
(Orchestration by Gerrard Williams)
Cantata profana for Chorus, Tenor Solo, Baritone Solo, and Orchestra by Bela Bartok
(First Concert Performance in England)
1. Molto moderato; 2. Andante ; 3. Moderato
(Soloists, HENRY WENDON AND ARNOLD MATTERS. THE BBC CHORAL SOCIETY)
Bartok's Cantata Profana was first performed in England before a private audience at the BBC concert of Contemporary Music on May 25, 1934. It is one of Bela Bartok 's most ambitious works, the sub-title of which is 'The Nine Enchanted Stags' — an old romantic folk legend that lends itself to descriptive musical treatment. The story tells of a father with nine sons who spend their time hunting in the forests. One day they follow a giant stag, lose their way, and by an evil spell are themselves turned into stags.