(From Birmingham)
Conducted by E.A. Parsons
John Herbert Foulds, a native of Manchester, began his musical career as a member of the Halle Orchestra. Since leaving it, he has had' considerable experience as conductor and concert organizer, holding such posts as Musical Director at the London Central Y.M.C.A. and conductor of the University of London Musical Society. He has been a prolific composer, though comparatively few of his bigger works are as yet at all well known. The one which has hitherto made the greatest impression is his World Requiem, a choral piece on a very large scale, produced at the Albert Hall on Armistice Day, 1923. He has invented, or at any rate imported into English music, some quite new orchestral effects by the use of quarter tones, an innovation which presents difficulties no less to the performers than to the hearers. Here, however, he is in lighter vein, almost in holiday mood, turning, as he has more than once done, to Celtic lore for inspiration. In this Suite he does achieve some resemblance to the Celtic Muse, which is as well as anyone may hope to do who is not himself a Gael.
The first Maid of Aries Suite begins with a prelude for which an old folk tune from Provence forms the foundation. There is a slower middle section in which the saxophone and clarinet have a duet.
The second movement is a joyous Minuet, and here again, in the middle section, the saxophone has a fine melody given to it. A very short, slow movement follows, taken from a point in the play where two old lovers meet after being parted for more than half a lifetime.
The fourth movement is a carillon in which the effect of bells is cunningly made by horns, harp, and strings. The tune for three bells persists through most of the movement, but here again there is a middle section of contrasting character, the flutes having the chief share in it.
Overture, 'The Siren' - Auber
Leonard Hunt (Baritone) Pass, Everyman - Sanderson
Shipmates o Mine (Accompanied on the Organ by Frank Newman) - Sanderson
Orchestra Suite, 'Gaelic Melodies' The Dream of Morven; Deirdre crooning: Merry MacDoon - Foulds
Three Bavarian Dances - Elgar
Cavatina - Raff
First Suite, 'The Maid of Arles' - Bizet
