CONCERT PREVIEW

New Zealand Listener, Volume 21, Issue 526, 22 July 1949, Page 8

CONCERT PREVIEW

THIS is the fourth 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 orchestral season of The National Orchestra. Later a similar series will appear in conjunction with the orchestral concerts in each centre,

|(4) Symphony No.5 in E Minor, Op. 64 ( Tchaikovski) ‘TCHAIKOVSKI’S Fifth Symphony was performed for the first time at St. Petersburg on November 17, 1888, the composer conducting, but although the audience was favourably impressed the newspapers were not very encouraging, A week later Tchaikovski directed the Symphony again at a concert of the Musical Society, again with little success.. He felt very depressed because the Russian press continued to ignore his new work, -thinking it far inferior to the Fourth Symphony, but subsequent successes farther afield in Moscow and Hamburg caused him to revise this opinion. The first movement begins with a musical "motto" theme-below-announced by clarinets. This theme, after furnishing the introduction, recurs throughout all four movements, assuming in the finale the major mode-

The main theme of the first movement proper-Allegro con anima-announced by clarinet and bassoon ("A" below). is developed elaborately before the second theme enters, given out by strings ("B" below)-

The second movement-Andante caritabile-is really a lyrical romance, Following an introduction in the lower strings the horn announces the main melody ("A" below); later the ohoe gives out the second theme ("B" below), The "motto" theme interrupts ,this impassioned mood and ultimately the movement ends despondently. : .

The third movement is-a Waltz, simple in form, the main section of which ("A" below) is offset by a contrasting episode in a different rhythm ("B" below), Towards the end of the movement clarinets and bassoons are heard, as from a distance, sounding the "motto" theme of the Symphony-

The Finale begins with a long introduction with the "motto" theme now in the major mode ("A" below); the main theme of the Allegro vivace which follows is given to the strings and woodwind ("B" below). The mood of this last movement is militant and triumphant.

Tchaikovski’s Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64, will be presented by the National Orchestra, conducted by Andersen Tyrer, at public concerts in Napier on Monday, July 25, and in Hamilton on Wednesday, August 3.