National Orchestra of Wales
Overture to 'The Flying Dutchman' ... Wagner

Wagner, throughout his artistic life, was often concerned with the redemption of man from evil forces by the purifying influence of womankind. The Flying Dutchman Overture (an epitome of the Opera it prefaces) illustrates this favourite antithesis of Wagner's.
In it one can easily detect the contrast between the Storm Music that depicts the eternal fate of the condemned sailor-captain and the tender, romantic melody of the woman who is to redeem him.

Madge Thomas (Contralto) and Orchestra
Recit. and Air, 'Cho Faro' (What can I do? from 'Orpheus and Eurydice') ........ Gluck
Orchestra
Symphony No. 1, in C, Op. 21 ...... Beethoven

Although Beethoven was about thirty when he wrote his first Symphony, he had not yet developed into the all-conquering composer whom the world worships. In this Symphony we get the consummate craftsmanship of the coming genius and a delightful expression of gaiety, and light romance and humour. The Movements are four -(1) a slow Introduction, leading to a brisk Movement with many abrupt turns of phrase; (2) a gentle tripping tune, with others like it to follow, all worked up into a smiling orchestral lyric; (3) an energetic Movement, called a Minuet because it is in Minuet rhythm and because in the pre-Beethoven Symphonies this was the proper place for a Minuet, but nothing so un-Minuet-like could be imagined than this jolly scramble; (4) a tripping march-like Movement that seems reluctant to start.

The Scherzo is the Prelude to the second Act of A Midsummer Night's Dream. It conjures up for us the pranksome Puck and the dainty train of fairies, whom in this Act their Queen sends on their duties.

"Fat King Melon and Princess Caraway," by A.P. Herbert

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