WINIFRED FISHER (Mezzo-Soprano)
RAYMOND ELLIS (Baritone)
THE WIRELESS MILITARY BAND
Conducted by B. WALTON O'DONNELL
BORODIN, one of tho foremost of the modem Russian composers, was a brilliant doctor of medicine and scientist. But his musical equipment was of no ordinary amateur standard, and his opera Prince Igor ranks among the finest of operas on a national subject. The story has been called ' The King Arthur legend of Russia,' and Borodin treats it with that blend of Russian and Eastern imagery with which we are familiar in the works of his compatriot, Rimsky-Korsakov. But the rather gloomy atmosphere of much of the modern Russian music is here replaced by something of optimism and sane wholesomeness, and its frank barbarism i s lightened by flashes of a clear humour.
The Overture begins with a slow section, quite short, leading directly into the main body of the piece. It, too, has a few bars of prelude before the vigorous main theme makes its appearance. Its impetuosity gives way to a much quieter second tune, played first as a horn solo, and though other tunes appear, notably one which appears first on the basses, it is the first and its energetic rhythm which dominate the most part of the Overture. BAND Suite from Incidental Music to 'The Blue
Bird 'Norman O'Neill Dance of the Mist Maids; Water and Fire; Dance of the Stars and Glow-worms ; Dance of the Hours and the Loaves