THE BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY OF NORTHERN IRELAND ongolia FIFTH RECITAL under the auspices of THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY OF BELFAST 1950 1951 CYRIL SMITH tumedat PHYLLIS SELLICK alwellets bort AND oilom or (Two Pianofortes) sov nielud ilqug did enoa aidz The Sir William Whitla Hall Queen's University, Belfast FRIDAY, 9th MARCH 1951 w g Savot Jun

Programme I Concerto in C minor. Allegro Adagio Allegro This Concerto is believed to have been written originally for two violins, though the original version no longer exists. The three movements follow the pattern familiar in Bach's concertos, never failing to interest the listener in the complex interplay of ideas between the two instruments. The Adagio is one of Bach's noble slow movements, in which a fugal subject is shaped into a monument of satisfying beauty and dignity. II Sonata in D major. K.448. - Bach Allegro con spirito Andante con expressione Rondo: Allegro molto Mozart This Sonata was written in 1781, for Mozart himself to play with one of his pupils, Fräulein von Aurnhammer. This young lady, according to Mozart was "a monster to look at, but played fit to send one into raptures". She fell in love with him, and her unwelcome attentions precipitated Mozart into the arms of Constanze Weber, whom he married the following year. Though the Sonata is high spirited, gay, and courtly throughout, it is not a mere occasional piece. The art with which the two parts are made completely equal, the play of the dialogue, the feeling for sonority in the combination and exploration of the different registers of the two instruments exhibit such mastery that in the opinion of Dr. Alfred Einstein "this apparently superficial and entertaining work is at the same time one of the most profound and most mature of all Mozart's compositions".

III The Planets (original version) Mars Venus Mercury (First Public Performance) n It is not generally known that the first three movements of Holst's "Planets" exist in an original version for two piano- fortes. This version was broadcast by Cyril Smith and Phyllis Sellick last week, and is played to-night in a concert hall for the first time. Gustav Holst Mars, the Bringer of War: Fanfares, tidings of war, and ruthless savagery. Note the inflexible and persistent rhythm in 5/4 time which sets the background to the whole movement. Venus, the Bringer of Peace: A movement pervaded by a mystical serenity, as of one contemplating a strange new world. Mercury, the Winged Messenger: A Scherzo, full of swift movement and volatile atmosphere. It is mainly constructed on the curious scale of B flat, C, D, E flat, E natural, F sharp, G sharp, A, i.e., the ordinary major scale with the four lower notes shifted a semitone upwards. Waltz from Suite Op. 18. Suite: Scaramouche. IV Arensky Milhaud This gay work, written in 1935, doubtless owes much to the composer's residence in Brazil when he was attached to the French Legation there during the 1914-18 war. Milhaud was one of the group of French composers known as "Les Six" in the 1920's, and has had a vast output of music both serious and puzzlingly experimental. Scaramouche, however, exhibits only buoyancy, humour, and in the middle movement, gentle nostalgia.

o saniy **T Festival of Britain, 1951 In association with C.E.M.A. (Northern Ireland) the Society has arranged a Recital to be held on FRIDAY, 29th JUNE by THE GRILLER STRING QUARTET and FRERERICK THURSTON (clarinet) ARCHIE CAMDEN (Bassoon) DENIS BRAIN (Horn) VICTOR WATSON (Double Bass) The programme will consist of the Howard Ferguson Cetet and the Schubert Octet This will be a public Recital, but Members of the B.M.S. will have the privilege of priority booking for themselves and their friends. The most expensive seats will be 5/-, and it is hoped that members will take full advantage of this oppor- tunity of being present at what will undoubtedly prove one of the outstanding musical events of the year. The Recital will be held in the Wellington Hall, and full details will appear in the Press.