Relayed from the National Museum of Wales

National Orchestra of Wales

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, on a small scale. Originally written for Pianoforte, it is also scored for a small Orchestra, consisting of the usual Woodwind (there is only one Oboe, however), two Horns, one Harp, and Muted Strings. The music centres round a slow, sustained melody, the first part of which is given out by Horn, the second part as a duet-Oboe and Bassoon. It is beautifully scored throughout.

Armstrong Gibbs in 1921 was invited by Granville Barker to compose music for the production of Maeterlinck's play The Betrothal. Here is some of that distinctive and interesting music.

The Spanish Caprice is so well known that it is necessary to recall only that it consists of a number of contrasted sections, following one another without pause, thus: Alborada, Variations, Alborada (repeated), Scene and Gipsy Song, Fandango.

Kate Roberts reading one of her own Short Stories in Welsh, "Y Gwynt."

"And hear in our dreams the sweet music all night."

Just over sixty years ago Berlioz produced an Opera from which this piece is an extract. This 'Symphonic Entr'acte' represents a scene in 'a virgin forest in the neighbourhood of Carthage.' Naiads appear and bathe. The hunt is heard in the distance, gradually drawing nearer, and the naiads vanish. Hunters cross the scene. A storm approaches. While the storm increases, Aseanias, son of Eneas, gallops past, followed by other huntsmen. The storm approaches its height and night falls. Dido and Aseanias hunting, arrive and take refuge in a cave.
Wood Nymphs appear, singing; also Fauns and Satyrs, all of whom dance a grotesque dance in the darkness. A little stream in the rocks becomes a noisy cataract. Lightning strikes a tree, and finally the whole scene is obscured by dense clouds. The storm at last abates and the clouds scatter.
The music calls for no description. The above conveys its spirit.

Reading from "The Crime of the Brigadier" (An Exploit of the Brigadier Gerard) by A. Conan Doyle

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