(From Birmingham)
THE Birmingham Studio Augmented Orchestra
Leader, Frank Cantell
Conducted by Joseph Lewis
Edna Iles (Pianoforte)
Theme and Variations
Haydn's Symphony in D Major dates from the year 1765. The composer was then thirty-three years of age.
The Symphony has four movements.
'In the first, Allegro, the horns are to the fore at once in the opening, with the statement of the first subject. The second main theme introduced by upward runs for the flute, follows in due course, after which development proceeds on normal lines.
In the second movement, Adagio, the horns are again prominent, and there are also solo passages for the violin and the violoncello.
A charming Minuet, of the homely and engaging type which Haydn knew so well how to write, comes next, with the horns, associated in this case with the oboes, much in evidence again in the Trio section.
For the Finale, Haydn adopted the always attractive variation form. The theme itself, of a simple, rhythmical character, is stated by the strings at the outset, and thereafter treated in an admirably effective mariner in seven variations.
In the first of these the oboes take the lead; in the second a solo violoncello has the theme : in the third a solo flute; the fourth is for the horns in four parts; a solo violin is prominent in the fifth; in the sixth the whole orchestra is engaged; number seven is for strings with solo violoncello; while in the spirited Finale (Presto) the return of the horn fanfare with which the first movement opened rounds off the whole work in happy style.