BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY OF NORTHERN IRELAND 1964-1965 SEVENTH RECITAL under the auspices of THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY OF BELFAST Vladimir Ashkenazy Pianoforte SIR WILLIAM WHITLA HALL Queen's University, Belfast FRIDAY, 23rd APRIL, 1965 at 7.45 p.m.

Sonata in D minor, Op 31 No. 2 Largo allegro Adagio Allegretto Written in 1802. The puzzlement caused to Beethoven's contem- poraries by the impact of his vigorous mind led one of them to ask for an explanation of this sonata. He replied "Read The Tempest". Much ink has been spilled in trying to identify Prospero, Miranda and the rest, but no one has come forward with a clue that commands general acceptance; it is probably as well to forget about Shakespeare. We can at least identify the striking changes of tempo with which the work opens and realize how the eighteenth century ear could be puzzled by it. Note also how in the last move- ment he keeps an unbroken rhythm of semi-quavers through practically four hundred bars. Sonata in A. major, D. 664 Allegro moderato Andante Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Gaspard de la nuit Ondine Le Gibet Scarbo Franz Schubert (1797-1828) Allegro This sonata was written in July 1819, for the eighteen year old Josefine von Koller; at her age she could hardly be expected to possess a virtuoso technique. This and the fact that Schubert seems for some time to have been trying to break loose from the over- powering influence of Beethoven may account for the sustained lyricism of the sonata. There is no scherzo, but everywhere the suggestion of song; indeed there is almost direct quotation from two songs he did write. INTERVAL Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) This work, inspired by a poem of Aloysius Bertrand (1807-1841), was intended by Ravel to be a piece "of transcendental virtuosity", and has been said by Cortot to be "one of the most astonishing examples of instrumental ingenuity to be found in the work of any composer". In Ondine he depicts a water-sprite, amid the rills and splashing fountains, luring young men to death; some pianists, while prepared to attempt the second two pieces, will not face this. In Le gibet the swaying, syncopated pedal point describes the figure

of a robber hanging in chains. In Scarbo there is represented a legendary Puck-like figure, full of pranks. Pavane pour une Infante defunte Ravel Composed in 1899, this work first brought Ravel's name before the public. The stately dance for the dead Infanta is by no means typical of its author. He later expressed his dissatisfaction with "this inconclusive and conventional work", and attributed its success to the remarkable, but not always justifiable, interpretations it had received. Sonata No. 5, Op 53 Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915) This sonata, in one continuous movement, was written in 1908. A contemporary and fellow-student of Rachmaninov, he started life as a concert-pianist and later specialized in composition. From Chopin-like beginnings he developed a highly individual and mystical style, using many modern devices and gaining a contem- porary reputation as an advanced and daring composer. However, he fell between two schools, being neither a Russian nationalist composer nor fully integrated into the international contemporary scene. He seemed for a time to drop out of consideration altogether, but a persistent band of pianists has seen in him an admirable key- board composer. He prefaces this sonata with some lines from the Poem of Ecstasy. I call you to life, oh mysterious forces, Submerged in depths obscure Of the Creator-spirit; timid embryos of life To you I now bring courage Note that this sonata ends very abruptly. The postponement of this concert brings us practically to the fiftieth anniversary of Scriabin's death, 27th April, 1915. Much use has been made in the compilation of these programmes of the resources of the Music Library, Royal Avenue, and of the helpful co-operation of its staff.