BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY OF NORTHERN IRELAND 1951 1952 FIRST RECITAL under the auspices of THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY OF BELFAST WILHELM KEMPFF (Pianoforte) The Sir William Whitla Hall Queen's University, Belfast FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd 1951

Chaconne Programme Le Rappel des Oiseaux L'Egyptienne Sonata in C minor, Op. 111 I II Handel Maestoso Allegro con brio e appassionato Adagio molto cantabile e semplice. (Arietta con variazioni) Rameau Beethoven With this sonata Beethoven said his last word through the medium of the pianoforte: the instrument could no longer contain his thought. The works in other media which were to follow would show equally the titanic attempts of a mind long past the thought of this world to express a superhuman vision, terrifying and sublime. The first movement has all the passion, storm, and stress of human existence-let those who wish parse its tumultuous. phrases. The variations which follow, rapt and submissive, surrendering to glory, rise at last in a chain of trills to peace and joy.

ITI Sonata in B flat major, Op. Posth. Moderato molto Andante sostenuto Scherzo: Allegro vivace con delicatezza Finale: Allegro ma non troppo Beethoven must have consciously finished with the piano- forte in his Op. 111. Schubert, at 31, a few weeks before his death, asking nothing more from the pianoforte than it could give, simply and naturally came to terms with life as he found it. The first movement has breadth, calm, and compassionate wisdom. Struggle is past, but a recurring distant roll of thunder echoes an ominous reminder. The movement is notable for its great variety of key-relationships, which hold the interest throughout its considerable length. Schubert The main theme of the Andante, in spite of its calm move- ment, is concerned with a striving towards the major mode, which it at last attains as at the end it fades away. The Scherzo, in its liquid freshness, is one of Schubert's loveliest, and the last movement is of cheerful spirit, though its opening sforzando chord recurs in oft repeated warning. Two Legends IV St. Francis of Assisi preaching to the birds St. Francis of Paola walking on the waters Liszt Liszt has beautifully evoked the touching scene described. in the Little Flowers of Saint Francis, of the Saint preaching to the birds. Though they were said to be entirely silent when the Saint was preaching, Liszt's birds add their joyful song to his grave and tender discourse. The second Legend is of Saint Francis of Paola, who begged a passage across the Straits of Messina from some boatmen and was curtly refused. To the alarm of his followers he straight- way spread his cloak on the stormy sea and sailed across on it. The piece is a vivid seascape, through which a dignified melody. typifies the Saint's unshaken faith.