Yesterday the founder of the Children's Concerts and of Youth and Music, benefactor of innumerable musical enterprises, celebrated his 100th birthday. Born in Germany, Robert Mayer , as a talented boy pianist, played to Brahms. Emigrating to England at 17, he later devoted himself, with his wife, to the encouragement and growth of this country's musical life. When she was Princess Elizabeth, HM The Queen attended his concerts for children. Now at 100, held in the highest esteem and affection, Sir Robert is still active and forward-looking. We present part of last night's concert given in Sir Robert's honour at the Royal Festival Hall in the presence of HM The Queen. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Prince of Wales.
The programme includes a Fanfare specially composed by Sir William Walton; Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music, with 16 young solo singers; Bach's Concerto for Two Violins; the Hallelujah Chorus; and a spoken tribute from Sir Geraint Evans.
Soloists in the Bach: Yehudi Menuhin , Isaac Stern
Conductors: Colin Davis , Simon Rattle
With 12 TRUMPETERS FROM LONDON SCHOOLS
LONDON PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Introduced by RICHARD BAKER
Sound VIC GODRICH
Lighting ALAN Roberts
Executive producer WALTER TODDS
Producer IAN ENGELMANN