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Brahms (1833-1897)
Charles Woodhouse (Violin) Walter Price (2nd Violin) Ernest Yonqe (Viola)
Charles Crabbe (Violoncello)
Assisted by Mrs. Herbert Withers (Pianoforte)
Mark Raphael (Baritone)
Charles Woodhouse and Mrs. Herbert Withers
Second Sonata, for Violin and Pianoforte
All the three Movements in this work (it is the Composer's hundredth 'Opus') have something of the reflective east of thought that we often find in Brahms. There is vigour, but less of the sheer bursting forth of energy that most Sonatas display, especially in their First and Last Movements.
In the FIRST Movement the Piano has the First Main Tune (note that it contains the characteristic Brahms 'arpeggio' - a four-note motif that walks up the scalic stairs two or three steps at a time). The Violin repeats this melody and then comes the Second Main Tune, similar in feeling to the first-gentle and amiable. The Piano begins this a!so. The. melody can be distinguished by the left hand's three-notes-to-a-beat on tho first two beats of the bar, against the right hand's two notes - a 'cross-rhythmic ' effect, of which Brahms frequently made use. There is a subsidiary theme that begins with a brisk ' postman's knock ' rhythm of three notes. On these melodies the Movement is built.
The Second Movement contains both tranquil and lively sections, the two moods alternating. The slow portion comes twice, and the lively one three times, its last appearance consisting of a Variation on part of its graceful melody.
The Third Movement is an engagingly happy Rondo, wherein the opening Violin tune comes round several times, with intervening episodes of rather strongly contrasted moods.
Mark Raphael

To-day's Recital of Brahms' Songs :
Numbers 1. 2 and 4 of ' Four Serious Songs ' Ecclesiastes iii. and iv. ; Corinthians xiii.
In this set of songs, the last of Brahms' works that appeared during his lifetime, it is reasonable to find something of his outlook on life and the destiny of man.
In the first song, the words of which are from the Book of Ecclesiastes (iii. 19 22) the writer muses on the common fate of beasts and men.
In tho second song, the words are drawn from the same Book (iv. 1-3). The philosophy is gloomy. 'I ... considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun.... , Wherefore I praised the dead ... more than the living:
The third song (sung to-night title last of Brahms' set) to some extent answers the one just quoted. It is a setting of the famous passage upon love for one's fellows, from Corinthians siii. 1-3, 12 and 13. Quartet with Mrs, Herbert Withers
Quintet in F Minor for Pianoforte and Strings,
Op. 34
Not too quiet ; slow. ;°h and sustained ; scherzo
(quick) and Trio ; Finale-' somewhat sustained,' leading to ' not too quick

Contributors

Violin:
Charles Woodhousk
Viola:
Ernest Yonqe
Baritone:
Mark Raphael
Baritone:
Charles Woodhouse
Unknown:
Mark Raphael

An Opera bouffe in Three Acts
Libretto by Rudolf Bernauer and Leopold
Jacobson
Music by Oscar Strauss
English Version by Stanislaus Stange
Arranged for Broadcasting

Nadina, Daughter of Col. Popoff,
Aurelia, Wife of Col. Popoff,
Mascha, Aurelia's Cousin
Bumerli, Lieut. in the Serbian Army
Massakroff, Capt, in the Bulgarian Army
Katrina, Housemaid to Col. Popoff
Alexius Spiridoff, Major in the Bulgarian Army
Casimir Popoff, Col. in the Bulgarian Army
Officers, Soldiers and flag bearers in the Bulgarian Army, Townspeople, Peasants, etc.

The story of "The Chocolate Soldier", which is based on George Bernard Shaw's brilliant satirical comedy, "Arms and the Man", closely follows the incidents, situations, and structure of the original story. The only changes made necessary are patent to the reader of the original. The scene of the opera is laid near the Dragoman Pass, Bulgaria, 1885, when Serbia and Bulgaria are at war.
The sentiment of "The Chocolate Soldier" is evolved by the love affairs of Bumerli and Nadina, Massakroff and Alexius. The comedy situations are furnished by the episode of Col. Popoff's house coat, which is delivered to Bumerli in order to make his escape; its return, and the fact that the photographs of the three women are hidden in the coat.

Contributors

Librettist:
Rudolf Bernauer
Librettist:
Leopold Jacobson
Composer:
Oscar Strauss
English version by:
Stanislaus Stange

2LO London

Appears in

About this data

This data is drawn from the Radio Times magazine between 1923 and 2009. It shows what was scheduled to be broadcast, meaning it was subject to change and may not be accurate. More