Isobel Baillie (Soprano)
The B.B.C. Orchestra (Section C)
(Led by Manus O'Donnell)
Conducted by Charles Woodhouse

For several years, Charles Woodhouse has led the B.B.C. Orchestra in the Promenade Season. He is not, however, solely an orchestral violinist, nor even a soloist and quartet player in addition, but is one of the most versatile artists in the profession. He plays the viola, the piano, conducts with frequency, composes and arranges, examines for the Associated Board, and does a number of other things for which it is difficult to imagine he can possibly have time.

This important early work of Elgar's no doubt owes a good deal of its effective use of the strings to his own intimate knowledge of the violin, and his youthful experience as conductor of a local band of modest size and attainment. It has achieved a very wide popularity, and there can be but few orchestras, amateur or professional, which have not at least attempted it. The second movement, short, is always regarded as the gem of the Serenade. Its main tune is a long, flowing melody which the first violin plays; there is a contrasting section, and the melody is repeated in fuller and richer form.

By CHRISTOPHER STONE