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With this talk Mr. and Mrs. Quennell conclude their series on the everyday life of our ancestors. Next week will come the summing-up of the long story that they have told. tracing the development of man's customs and habits of life in England, from the arduous existence of the Stone Age, when early mankind was still struggling for its place on the earth, to the expanding civilization of the Later Renaissance, the age of Wren and Milton, Pepys and Vandyck, of which they will talk today.

Sung by Dale Smith

Wie bist du, meine Konigin (How gracious thou art, my Queen)

Von waldbekranzter Hohe (From forest-crowned heights)

Wenn du nur zuweilen lachelst (If but now and then thou smilest)

Brahms (1833-1907), in his song-writing, was essentially a romantic. His range was narrower than that of his fellows in greatness. He was not dramatic, as Schubert was ; he was not an inspired dreamer like Schumann ; he had nothing like the quick wit of Wolf. His favourite style was that of the sleek, honey-sweet love-song, beautiful in melody and of a fastidious musicianship. He liked also to colour with music the despairs of self-tormenting poets. His songs seldom express the love of life.

Is he less 'great' than Schubert and Schumann? Perhaps. But it must be remembered that songs were all-important with the other composers, whereas with Brahms they were a by-path among his great Symphonies, Concertos, Chamber works and Choral works.

How Gracious Thou Art is one of Brahms' most tenderly passionate love-songs. The singer declares that his beloved is fairer than any flowers that bloom. Each verse ends with a deeply expressive 'Wonderful! wonderful!'

From Forest-Crowned Heights - and from dewy flowers, from flowing streams and coursing clouds come yearning thoughts of the lost beloved.

If But Now and Then Thou Smilest - then all the burden of love disappears.

Contributors

Singer:
Dale Smith

NORAH BLANEY (at the Piano)
CYRIL SHIELDS, Magic and Humour
THORNLEY DODGE, Entertainer
PHIL RAY , Junior. Comedian
MARIO DE PIETRO on the Mandoline and Banjo MURIEL GEORGE and ERNEST BUTCHER, Folk Songs
HAROLD CLEMENCE , Humorous Interludes

Contributors

Unknown:
Norah Blaney
Unknown:
Phil Ray
Unknown:
Mario de Pietro
Unknown:
Banjo Muriel George
Unknown:
Harold Clemence

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