THE WIRELESS MILITARY BAND
Conducted by B. WALTON O'DONNELL
Roy HENDERSON (Baritone) ; ANTONIO BROSA
(Violin)
(Pictures on page 333.)
TCHAIKOVSKY'S piece, an early work, is based on Shakespeare's play. It is really a tone-poem-an attempt to reproduce in music some of the emotions of the drama, without following the story scene by scene. It has three chief features: a chant-like tune suggesting Friar Lawrence and the marriage solemnity; vigorous music, reminding us of the Montagup-Capulet feud, and a tender tune obviously suggesting the love of Romeo and Juliet.
ELGAR'S Sursum Corda was originally scored for Strings, Brass and Organ. It begins in slow, serious style, and then comes one of those broadly spreading, richly expressive tunes that are so characteristic of the Composer, and which here so well represents the thought expressed in the title–' Lift up your heart!' A climax is worked up, and a contrasted section follows, less smooth and at a quicker pace. The first mood then returns to round off the piece.
THE Newdigate Prize of twenty - one guineas for verses on a set subject, open to undergraduates of Oxford University, was founded by Sir Roger Newdigate , the antiquary, and first awarded in 1806.
From the Studio
Hymn, ' Souls of Men, why will ye Scatter'
(A. and M., 634)
Bible Reading, Ecclesiastes xi and xii, v. 1 Psalm 23
Prayer
Hymn, ' Praise to the Holiest in the Height'
(A. andM., 172)
Address by the Rev. F. H. GILLINGHAM , Rector of St. Margaret's, Lee
Hymn, Dear Lord and Father of Mankind '
(Congregational H.B. 336)
Blessing
Vesper, Hymn 163 (A. and M.), v. 3
FEW clergymen arc better known to the public than the Rev. F. H. Gillingham , who has for twenty years been a pillar of the Essex C.C., and has played for the Gentlemen several times. It will be remembered that he broadcast the first running commentary on a cricket match ever carried out in this country, on the occasion of the New Zealanders' visit to
Leyton early this season. Since 1923 he has been- Rector of St. Margaret's, Lee.
THERE is no need to emphasize the deadly nature of the tuberculous diseases, which now constitute one of the greatest plagues that afflict the human race. Last year the National Association launched a special appeal for £100,000 to endow its research into the origins and cure of tuberculosis, and a powerful plea for its success was made by the President of the Association, the Prince of Wales.
Contributions should be sent to the Marchioness of Titchfield at [address removed].
THE WIRELESS ORCHESTRA
Conducted by STANFORD ROBINSON
ALICE Moxon (Soprano)
THE WIRELESS SINGERS
Just as at morning our thoughts are of the future as we set our faces to the new day, so at the hour of nightfall, with another day laid away on the shelf of the past, there steals upon us the spirit of remembrance. For, delightful though the present may be, the past and the future are the subject of our inner dreams. The 'Vesper' programmes, of which this is the second, are planned to fall in with this mood of sad-siveet recollection.
ROSSINI'S The Italian in Algiers, is nowadays represented only by its Overture, though when it came out (at Venice, in 1813) it seemed likely to have a long life, for it was full of the gayest, catchiest tunes, cleverly orchestrated.
The Overture opens with a slow Introduction, and then goes on its sprightly course with unquenchable vitality, making good use of that favourite Rossinian device of crescendo (a gradual, exciting increase of tone) that brought the . Composer some satirical comment and the name of ' 'Signor Crescendo ' when, later, he went to Paris.
FEW Composers have expressed the nature and life of their native country so completely as Sibelius, who shows forth the spirit of Finland.
The piece named after his country is built up out of short motifs which are set off against each other, rather than fully developed.
After a few impressive chords, the religious-sounding First Tune is given out.
A quicker, dance-like section follows and is succeeded by a warlike theme.
A sad melody (not an actual folk-tune, though it sounds like one) is now heard, and the piece is soon rounded off by a Coda based on one of its early motifs.
