CONCERT PREVIEW

New Zealand Listener, Volume 21, Issue 523, 1 July 1949, Page 15

CONCERT PREVIEW

"THIS is one of a series of five articles written for "The Listener" by

BESSIE

POLLARD

Each will discuss in outline an important |

symphonic work to be heard during the provincial orchestral season of the National Orchestra between July 4 and August 5, Later a similar series will appear in conjunction with the orchestral concerts in each 4 centre.

(1) Symphony No. 4 in G, Op. 88 (Dvorak) VORAK’S Symphony in G, Op. 88 (known as the English Symphony because it was orikinally published by Novello) appeared in 1889 and is perhaps the most national in character of all his symphonies-and as far as the first two movements are concerned, the most original in form, The G Major Symphony, and the Stabat Mater, were the two works performed at Dvorak’s investiture with the honorary degree of Doctor of Music at Cambridge Uniyersity on June 16, 1891. The first movement-Allegro con brio-begins’ with a majestic theme announced by ‘cello and clarinet- :

Two contrasted themes dominate this opening movement-a flute melody ("A" below) and the sturdy viola and ’cello subject ("B" below). A feature of the whole movement is the beauty of the scoring for woodwind-

The slow movement-adagio-has been described by Alec Robertson in his book on Dvorak, as "one! of the considerable achievements of symphonic literature;" and, again, from the same source, . . . "it could stand as a miniature tone poem of Czech village life described by a highly sensitive man." The sadness of the first section is offset by contrasted passages which give us a picture of the village green on a festival day. The thematic material is drawn almost exclusively from the opening bars-

The Scherzo and Trio-allegro grazioso-is characterised by Dvorak’s typical melodic charm, particulerly in the Trio section of the movement-

The Finale-allegro ma non troppo-is cast as a theme and variations, based on a-varied version of the flute melody in the first movement, "A" below gives the beginning of the main theme announced ‘by ’cellos, while "B" below outlines a notable episode for woodwind later in the movement-

Dvorak’s Symphony No. 4 in G, Op. 88, will be presented by the National Orchestra in the first concert at New Plymouth, on Monday, July 4, and subsequently at Hawera on July 7, Wanganui on July 11, Hastings on July 21, and Gisborne on July 29,