' In the Days of Queen Anne ' (4)

Old Christchurch Road. Directed by GILBERT STACEY

THE WIRELESS STRING ORCHESTRA, conducted by Capt. W. A. FEATHERSTONE IN Mozart's day the term ' Serenade ' was used for a Suite of Movements lighter and less formal than those in a Sonata. These short Orchestral pieces could be used, separately if desired, as agreeable interludes in an evening's entertainment, or at some such festivity as a marriage celebration.
This Serenade is a typical collection of these light recreations, with here and there a note of deeper feeling in the music.

IN this early work are three Movements, each of which has as title merely an Italian musical term.

FIRST MOVEMENT. Quick, pleasantly. The Violas open this dainty piece with a little tripping rhythmic figure of six notes that frequently appears (in the last Movement, as well as in the First).
The First Main Tune follows immediately-a minor key phrase that rises in one bar and falls in the next. The Second Main Tune is in two parts. The first section, in the major key, is sung out aloft. After a few bars its continuation appears. This has an upward leap of seven notes at the start. These two phrases also are heard in the last Movement of the Suite. The Movement is rounded off by the re-introduction of the First Tune.

SECOND MOVEMENT. Slowish. This contains a Tune (the only main one used) which is among Elgar's best. After a short prelude, the First Violins give it out. It has the soaring, confident freedom of spirit that we recognize as characteristic of the Composer's finest melodies.
The music here is richly sonorous - a splendid example of the effect that can be obtained from stringed instruments alone. The opening preludial idea is used again, to conclude the Movement.

THIRD MOVEMENT. Moderately quick. A smoothly flowing Tune, in a three-notes-to-a-beat time, is the basis of this graceful Movement. Near the end, the rhythmic figure that opened the Serenade is heard, and the Second Main Tune of the First Movement has the last word in the work.

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STRING ORCHESTRA SONG CYCLE
'NONSENSE SONGS ' from ' Alice in Wonder-land'
Words by Lewis Carroll Music by Liza Lehmann
WINIFRED ASCOTT (Soprano) GLADYS JAMES (Contralto) LESLIE STEVENS (Tenor)
PHILIP TAYLOR (Barit one)