The Station Orchestra, conducted by Warwick Braithwaite
To celebrate his parents' silver wedding, Mendelssohn wrote a little Operetta which he called "The Return from Abroad". After his death, the Operetta was published under the title "Son and Stranger", and by this name the Overture is generally known.
It is a quite independent piece, containing no themes from the Operetta. It opens with a slow section, after which comes a swift, sunny Movement, the First Main Tune bounding off in a moment in the cheeriest style. The Second Tune, in contrast, trips lightly along, beginning on Strings and continuing on Flutes.
These two melodies are treated quite simply, with all Mendelssohn's native gaiety and charm. and so the Overture runs to its close, bubbling over with happiness.
We never tire of the vernal freshness and grace of "The Creation", the first Oratorio Haydn wrote (at the age of sixty-four). Of such qualities this air is compact, that tells of the loveliness of nature:-
'With verdure clad the fields appear
Delightful to the ravished sense;
By flowers sweet and gay
Enhanced is the charming sight.
Here fragrant herbs their odours shed;
Here shoots the healing plant;
With copious fruit the expanding boughs are hung;
In leafy arches twine the shady groves;
O'er lofty hills majestic forests wave.
Orchestra:
War March of the Priests ("Athalie") Mendelssohn
Rex Palmer and Orchestra
Air, "Lord God of Abraham".....("Elijah") Mendelssohn
Recit., "I go-on my way"............("Elijah") Mendelssohn
Air, "For the mountains shall depart".........('Elijah') Mendelssohn
Orchestra:
"All we like sheep have gone astray" Handel
Megan Thomas and Orchestra:
"Jerusalem" (from "St. Paul").... Mendelssohn
"From mighty kings" (from "Judas Maccabeus") Handel
The first air, the lament of Jesus over Jerusalem, is placed in the Oratorio after the account of the martyrdom of Stephen: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, thou that stonest them which are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered unto Me thy children, and ye would not!"
In the Second Part of Handel's "Judas Maccabeus" the Israelitish warriors have returned triumphant from battle, and a woman of Israel raises this glad song, celebrating the deeds of the hero, who despoiled the mighty, and brought fame to Judah.
Orchestra:
Overture to "Messiah" Handel
