FIRST PERFORMANCE

New Zealand Listener, Volume 21, Issue 540, 28 October 1949, Page 17

FIRST PERFORMANCE

"THE first performance of a new work for orchestra

by

H. J.

FINLAY

" of Wellington-Prelude and Fugue in A Flat Major, Op. 11-will be featured at the concert of the National Orchestra on Tuesday,

November 1. In this article,

BESSIE

POLLARD

discusses

Dr.

Finlay's

work in outline. OTH Prelude and Fugue are notable for their economy in the use of thematic material. Although numerous melodies appear to abound in both movements, in reality they all derive from three main themes. First there is the main Fugue subject (below) which is an "up-running" one, the lowest voices entering first. It is built on a simple downward scale in the first half, balanced by an ascending scale progression in the second part-

The second, "Tie-theme" (below), is the only one which occurs unaltered in both Prelude and Fugue, serving as a link for the two movements-

~~ ’ ‘The third, "Chorale-theme," is distinct from the others and is treated in various ways in several places-sometimes alone, sometimes in combination with other themes-

The Prelude is romantic in mood, and strongly melodic. Its inner structure reveals a certain, contrapuntal ingenuity, and much by-play with rhythmic values and canonic devices. The principal subject of the Prelude opens the’ work-

A melody of much importance thematically is derived from the "Chorale-theme" mentioned above-

The Fugue is rather solemn and austere; it ends with stretto statements of the main subject in longer note values on four horns; then on three trombones while the orchestra is engaged with motifs from the counter-subject; and finally, in its original form on tuba, ’cellos and basses, in a plagal cadence, with massive closing chords. . é : The first performance of Prelude and Fugue in A Flat Major, Op. 11, by H. J. Finlay will take place at the second Wellington cdncert of the National Orchestra, conducted by Andersen Tyrer, on Tuesday, November 1,