Programme Index

Discover 11,128,835 listings and 279,803 playable programmes from the BBC

Set to Music for Six Solo Voices,
Chorus in Five Parts, and Orchestra
By GRANVILLE BANTOCK
Relayed from tho Fyfio Hall
The words used in this version are given on page 533.)
THE WIRELESS Chorus
(Chorus-Master : STANFORD ROBINSON )
THE WIRELESS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
(Leader : S. KNEALE KELLEY )
Under the direction of Sir HAMILTON HARTY
THE Song of Songs is Bantock's most recent composition on a large scale. He has put into the form of a dramatic work the Song of Solomon, using the Authorized Version of the Bible, with slight variations, and adding several of the Psalms, as ' Choral Interludes ' at the end of each Scene.
The characters are the Shulamite (Soprano), the First Attendant (Mezzo-Soprano), the Second Attendant (Contralto), the Shepherd (Tenor), the King (Bass), the Watchman (Bass). and three Maidens (Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, and Contralto). The Chorus represents Female Slaves, Attendants, Priests, Soldiers and Villagers. There is also a Mystic Choir (which sings the Choral Interludes), and Dancers are introduced.
The work, which treats the song, not symbolically, but literally, as a story of the constancy of love, is cast in five Scenes, thus : I, The women's apartment in the King's Palace. Noon. II. The same. Night. III. The same. Morning. IV. The same. Evening. , V. At the foot of a watch-tower among the vineyards of Lebanon. Dawn.
The story, in this interpretation, is that the King (said to have been Solomon), seeing the Shulamite working in the vineyard, and being attracted by her great beauty, has had her brought to his Palace, where he keeps her in honourable captivity. She resents the restraints imposed upon her, and tongs for her Shepherd lover, whose voice is often heard outside, and whom the Shulamite also sees in a vision. After seeking in vain to win her love, the King relents and releases her.

Contributors

Unknown:
Granville Bantock
Chorus-Master:
Stanford Robinson
Unknown:
Kneale Kelley
Unknown:
Sir Hamilton Harty
The Shulamite:
Dorothy Silk
First Attendant:
Vivienne Chatterton
Second Attendant:
Edith Barker
The Shepherd:
Trefor Jones
The King:
Norman Allin
The Watchman:
Stanley Riley

A RELIGIOUS SERVICE
Hymn, ' Hark, the glad sound ' Confessions and Thanksgiving Psalm, No. 150 Lesson
Nune Dimittis
Prayers
Hymn, ' Lead, Kindly Light'
Address by the Rev. H. R. L.
SHEPPARD
Hymn, ' Hail to the Lord's Anointed ' Blessing
WHILST the Rev. H. R. L.
Sheppard was in active command at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, he made the monthly broadcast service the most important fact, for many listeners, of the religious programmes. Both his own sermons and those of the other preachers whom he invited to occupy his pulpit, brought hope and comfort to thousands of people who may never have seen the lofty spire and smoke-stained portico of the famous London church. Under his successor, Canon McCormick, St. Martin's and its services, broadcast and otherwise, have lost nothing of their appeal, but the reappearances of ' Dick ' Sheppard are still eagerly-awaited occasions. This evening, when the Christmas Fund that he founded is the broadcast Week's Good Cause, is a particularly appropriate moment for one of them.
Incorporated in this Service will be an appeal on behalf of ST. MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS CHRISTMAS FUND
ST. MARTIN'S CHURCH occupies a unique position in the life of London, and its Vicar has exceptional opportunities of coming into contact with cases of really hard luck all over the country. This Fund was started by Mr. Sheppard several years ago, to help to bring a little Christmas cheer into homes that would otherwise be without it. Two points worth noting are that there are no administrative expenses, and that grants find their way where they are least expected : in fact, applications for assistance are never considered.
Contributions should be sent to [address removed]

MEGAN THOMAS (Soprano) ;
FOSTER RICHARDSON (Bass)
THE ROSE CAVALIER (described as ' A Comedy for Music ') is, as most people consider, the most likable of all Strauss's works. It is full of gorgeous waltzes (one of which we are now to hear), and other attractive melodies.
The titlo refers to the old custom of a suitor's employing an envoy to carry a silver rose to his betrothed as an emblem of his love.
THE COUNTESS ALMAVIVA, in Figaro, has found her husband fickle, and in this rather pathetic air she expresses her longing for the restoration of the love she once knew; if that cannot be, she does not wish to live. Sleepy Tune Gavotte in Pierrot's garden
Harebell and the Fairy Pipers Legend
Columbine's dream dance The March of the Clowns
T ISTENERS are already familiar with some of L the graceful light pieces of Kenneth Wright , a young composer of today. His B.B.C. Waltz. (based on the three notes forming the Corporation's initials) has become quite well known.
Ths Pantomime Pictures were originally conceived as orchestral movements, and have since been arranged for Piano.
HALVORSEN (born 1864) is a Norwegian Violinist, Conductor, and Composer, who waa a friend of Grieg. At one time he lived in Aberdeen. The Boyards were an aristocratic military order in old-time Russia.

Contributors

Soprano:
Megan Thomas
Soprano:
Foster Richardson
Unknown:
Kenneth Wright

2LO London and 5XX Daventry

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