Relayed from the National Museum of Wales

National Orchestra of Wales

(to 14.00)

Frank Thomas (Violin); Ronald Harding (Violoncello); Hubert Pengelly (Pianoforte)

Beethoven, when he played his own works in public, did not always get for the playing the high praise given to his compositions. When this Trio (his Op. 97) was first heard in public, three years after its completion, the young Moscheles (later to be known as a famous pianist and teacher), wrote in his diary that the music was 'full of originality', but that the composer's playing 'lacked clearness and precision'; nevertheless, the critic 'observed several traces of the grand style of playing'.
There are four Movements in the Trio.
The First is cheerful and bold, very clearly made out of two main tunes, with scarcely any subsidiary matter.
The Second Movement is a gay, jesting piece, a Scherzo. In the middle section an odd, creeping theme is set forth in fugal style, each instrument Having a cut at it in turn. Then the first section is repeated, and in the Coda (tailpiece) we have recollections of the chief themes of both sections.
The Third Movement is a set of five Variations on a simple, appealing theme.
The Last Movement is a Rondo in which two main tunes alternate, with (after the second appearance of the opening one) an episode of new matter in the middle. Then the two main tunes reappear, and a Coda at full speed exhilaratingly winds up.

The Little Suite was originally written for Piano Duet, then arranged (by another hand) for Orchestra.
Boating, the first piece in the set, begins in the gentle, swaying style of a Barcarolle.
The second piece is entitled Processions.
After a rather deliberately-moving march tune has been treated, there is a middle section, in what may be called a refined rag-time manner. Then the tune of the opening march returns, combined with that of the middle section.
The third piece is a graceful Minuet. Lastly there is a Ballet.

A Pavane was originally a dance, of a slow, stately character. Its solemn nature makes it specially suitable for a memorial piece.
Ravel's Pavane is one of his best works, though on a small scale. Originally written for Pianoforte, it is also scored for a small Orchestra. The music centres upon a slow, sustained melody, beautifully scored throughout in the full orchestral version.

Relayed from The Western Mail Brighter Homes Exhibition, the Drill Hall

(10.15 Local Announcements)

Florence Oldham (Light Songs at the Piano), Malcolm Scott (The Woman who Knows), Tarrant Bailey, Junr., the Lightning Banjoist (Solo Banjo, Guitar, Balalaika)
(to 23.00)