THE WIRELESS ORCHESTRA
Conducted by G. LESLIE HEWARD
THE Russian Ballet, which enjoys a unique reputation in so many countries of the world has earned our gratitude in- more than one way. It has furnished inspiration to a number of distinguished composers for some of their freshest and most attractive music, much of which is thoroughly enjoyable, even apart from the'dance to which of right it belongs.
IT was by his music ' La Boutique Fantasque ' that Respighi first made his name known to us in this country. Now, of course, we have had many opportunities of hearing him in more serious mood, but these fresh and dainty dances, made largely from the pianoforte music which Rossini composed in his latter days, will always have a very strong hold on our affections.
THE THREE CORNERED HAT is founded on a Spanish story in which a pompous corregidor seeks to seduce a miller's virtuous wife, only to meet with defeat at the hands of the lady and her watchful spouse.
In the first of the three Dances it is the eve of St... John's Festival, and the miller's neighbours have gathered about his house to dance, while the wine cup passes round.
The second number is danced by the miller himself, and the music presents an unmistakable picture of his sturdy figure.
At the opening of the third dance all is confusion ; several themes are intricately woven together, and two rhymes-3-4 and 6.8—are heard together. The dance itself is a brilliant Jota—one of the oldest and most popular traditional dance forms of Northern Spain.