CONCERT PREVIEW

New Zealand Listener, Volume 21, Issue 525, 15 July 1949, Page 14

CONCERT PREVIEW

‘THIS is the third of a series of five articles written for "The

" Listener’ by

BESSIE

POLLARD

Each discusses in outline an

| important symphonic work to be heard during the provincial orch-

| estral season of The National Orchestra. Later a similar series will

| appear in conjunction with the orchestral concerts in each centre.

(3) Symphony in D Minor (Cesar Franck) HE first performance of Franck’s Symphony in D Minor took place in Paris on February 17, 1889., It had taken the 67-year-old composer two years to complete the work, and its performance was made possible only through the energy and perseverance of his friends (mostly fellow musicians) against public hostility and an opposition which was manifest even amongst the members of the orchestra. The premiere was a complete fiasco, yet from such ignominious beginnings the work has become. one of the best-loved favourites in the literature of the symphony, and to-day is regarded as a masterpiece, . The first movement begins with a majestic introduction-Lento-in which the *cellos and basses announce a theme right at the outset ("A" below); this is the "germ" of many developments, and of a recurring treatment, peculiar to Franck, known as "cyclic’-that is, the same melody is repeated, in various guises, and with certain modifications, right throughout the work. "B" below shows the addition of an answering phrase to the first theme- 2 : ee

A lyrical second theme ("A" below) is given out by the strings; then follows a noble trumpet motif ("B" below) which, like the opening theme, is carried over into succeeding movements-

The second movement-Allegretto-has all the qualities of a religious meditation. It begins with a few bars of introduction for pizzicato strings and harp ("A" below); then the cor anglais emerges with a melody of surpassing beauty ("B" below)-

Later we hear rather capricious figures for strings ("A’ below), and then a new theme fof clarinet ("B" below) with string accompaniment-

The Finale-Allegro non /troppo-is dramatic, spectacular and jubilant, A joyous theme for ’cellos (below) is supplemented later by motifs from the preceding movements--

Symphony in D Minor by César Franck will, be presented by The National Orchestra, conducted by Andersen Tyrer, at public concerts in Palmerston North on Tuesday, July 19; Napier, Wednesday, July 27; Gisborne, Saturday, July 30; and Hamilton, Friday, August 5.