Relayed from the Pavilion, Llandaff Fields
National Orchestra of Wales
(Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Cymru)
Leader, Louis Levitus
Conducted by Warwick Braithwaite

Saint-Saens' Tone Poem is based on the classical tale of how Phaeton persuaded his father, the Sun, to let him drive the Fiery Chariot across the sky. Listeners will remember that in the old tale the horses got cut of hand, and the chariot was on the point of crashing into the earth to wreck it, when Jupiter hurled a thunderbolt which destroyed the youth and his car.
There is a short aid impressive introduction, and then we hear the galloping steeds, and, a little later, a pompous tune on the brasses no doubt stands for the young Phaeton himself. Four horns afterwards play a fine broad melody, which is thought to be the dirge of the Sun over the boy's death. The music works up to a great pitch of excitement, and against a strenuous version of the Phaeton theme, we can quite clearly hear the falling of the thunderbolt and, at last, the lament.