Relayed from the Queen's Hall
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Ernest Ansermet
York Bowen (Pianoforte)
Chorus from the Royal Academy of Music Orchestra.
Why it was never finished, nobody knows, for the composer lived six years after completing the two Movements we know. A third was begun, but left incomplete. In these two Movements musicians have one of their greatest treasures. Next to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, Schubert's Unfinished is probably the most popular symphony in the world.
The Movements are as follows:-
First movement (Moderately quick). After a few bars of mysterious introductory music, for 'Cellos and Double Basses alone, the First Main Tune enters, a rapid one for Strings, with, soon after, a mournful strain added, above, by Oboe and Clarinet together.
After a time, we come to a few bars of link, for Horns and Bassoons, and then the 'Cellos bring in the cheerful Second Main Tune.
Second movement (Gently moving along-neither fast nor slow). This is one of the most serene pieces ever written. After two bars of Introduction for Horns and Bassoon, with Double Busses (plucked) beneath them, we reach the First Main Tune, flowing beautifully off the bows of the Violins. After a time, there comes a little link, this time for Violin alone, and then the Second Main Tune, a slow one for Clarinet, with delicate syncopation in the Strings beneath.
(Solo Pianoforte, York Bowen)
(First Performance)
The composer's description of the work as 'for orchestra with pianoforte (quasi obligato)' indicates that although the Pianoforte part is prominent (and practically continuous). the instrument is not used as in the normal Concerto as a protagonist, but as an integral part of the whole structure of the work.
There are three Movements.
The First Movement opens with a slow, dignified Introduction, leading to a spirited quick section. The Pianoforte has the chief theme, various subsidiary ones being also heard. The next section is in rather slower time, and in a quite different mood. Hero the Violas have the tune, which is repeated with embellishments. Then we return to the former speed. The development and recapitulation of the material proceeds, with just a slight reference to the theme of the rather slower section, and a short Coda brings the Movement to a rather abrupt close.
The Second Movement, at a comfortable, slowish pace, is simply constructed. The chief theme has a rather unusual rhythmic plan. It is in four-time, the eight half-beats of each bar being divided into two groups of three and one of two. There is a contrasting tune, and the Movement concludes with a Coda in which the first tune is played simultaneously with the second.
The Third Movement (Very quick) opens with a vigorous theme and goes on a normal course of development. The slow, dignified theme from the Introduction of the First Movement reappears on the full Orchestra, several other themes from the first two Movements are heard in combination, and the work ends very softly.
One or two of Mr. Walton's works have already been broadcast, notably his Overture Portsmouth Point. This young composer (he was born in 1902) has also written a String Quartet, which was chosen for performance at the International Festival of Contemporary Music at Salzburg in 1923, and a Pianoforte Quartet, which obtained one of the Carnegie Trust awards.