Relayed from the Free Trade Hall
S.B. from Manchester
THE HALLÉ ORCHESTRA
Conducted by SIR HAMILTON HARTY
IT was Mendelssohn himself who gave this
Symphony its name. It was largely written during travels in Italy in 1831, and embodies much of the brightness and sunshine which ho enjoyed so thoroughly there.
The principal tune of the first movement is played at the outset by the violins, a tune which bubbles over with exhilaration and freshness. Mendelssohn himself said that this was going to be the gayest orchestral music he had ever written, and from the outset it is easy to agree with him. The second main tune, no loss joyous than tho first, is played to begin with by clarinets and bassoons, and as the first part of the movement ends, there is a gracious little melody which appears again in the coda. At the beginning of the working-out section a new theme is begun by second violins, on which a short Fugato is built up, leading to the return of the first theme. The second theme is then heard as a violoncello solo.
For some unknown reason the second movement has been given the name The Pilgrims' March.' The principal tune is begun by violas and woodwinds, and carried on by violins along with flutes. There is another tune in the second part of the movement which clarinets play first. The movement is quiet and serious in mood as compared with the others.
The third movement is not really a scherzo; something like a Minuet, it has a gracious tune which strings play first. In the alternative section (the Trio) there is an important phrase for horns and bassoons, to which first violins and then flutes reply.
The last movement is a very light-hearted and bustling Saltarollo or Tarantella in which there are three tunes, all vigorous merry dance rhythms.