Relayed from the National Museum of Wales
National Orchestra of Wales
(Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Cymru)
Edouard Lalo, best known to us in this country by his sparkling 'Symphonic Espagnole,' is recognised abroad as having blazed the trail for that modern French school of which Debussy, Dukas, and D'Indy were the illustrious founders. All three acknowledged his great influence, and all of them paid him the sincere tribute of studying his work deeply: it is recorded that each of them knew by heart his masterpiece, the opera Namouna, produced in Paris in 1882. Falling on the ear always with a happy sense of freshness, Lalo's music has those qualities of vivid colour which arc proof against the staleness which repetition may involve, and docs indeed involve with music of less intrinsic charm.
The two Aubades, intended for performance either by ten solo instruments, or by a small orchestra, are both, though slight in structure, happy examples of his art.
The first, after a brief introduction, begins on the basses with a bustling theme in the softest tone, rising soon to a climax, and making way then for a long, suave melody, which bassoon and viola begin together.
The second, in slower tempo, begins, after four bars of introduction, with a tune of the daintiest grace given to the first violins.
Aubade, of course, is a song for the morning, as a Serenade is, literally, evening music.
(to 14.00)
