KNOW YOUR CLASSICS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 20, Issue 506, 4 March 1949, Page 14

KNOW YOUR CLASSICS

‘THIS is one of a further series of articles written for "The Listener"

4 by

BESSIE

POLLARD

As with the preceding series, published

some time ago, the aim is to help the student and the interested listener towards a more complete appreciation of good music. (11) Symphony No. 4 in A (‘Ttalian’’) (Mendelssohn ) Mendelssohn began working on his Italian Symphony during his. visit to Italy (1830-1831) and a considerable amount of it was composed during his stay in that country; it was finished in 1833, and given its first performance at the sixth concert of the London Philharmonic Society on May 13 of that year, From 1833 to 1837 Mendelssohn gave the Svmphonvy a drastic revision. but the rewritten version was not heard until November 1, 1849, at a Leipzig concert, The opening movement, Allegro Vivace, has the usual two main themes and a third subject boldly introduced in the development section. The principal subject is heard right at the beginning, given out by strings, accompanied by wood-wind and horns-

The second theme, played by clarinets and bassoons, is more restrained ("A" below), following a return to the opening theme, the development section brings forward a new subiect. plaved bv violins ("R" below)--

= The re-statement section reviews all three subjects; the Code contains references to the first and second themes only. The entire movement has a feeling of joy and healthy animal spirits. The second movement, Andante Con Moto, sometimes called the Pilgrim’s March, opens with a short Introduction, and then a lovely haunting melody ("A" below) is given out by oboe, clarinet and violas; the wood-wind, horns and strings announce the graceful. and delicate second theme ("B" below)- |

The third movement, Con Moto Moderato, is cast as a Minuet and Trio. The violins announce the gay Minuet melody ("A" below); the Trio section brings forward a meglow theme featuring horns and bassoon ("B" below)-

Undoubtedly inspired by a carnival at Rome, the Finale, Presto, is full of excitement and bustle, patterned after the lusty Italian peasant dance, the Saltarello; here is the characteristic rhythmic cast of this sprightly dance-

MENDELSSOHN’S "SYMPHONY No. 4 in A (‘Italian’)" will be heard from Station 3XC, in The World’s Classic series, on Tuesday, March 8, at 9.4 p.m.