Some Descriptive Notes

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 33, 1 March 1929, Page 25

Some Descriptive Notes

"(CHE faro senza Duridice?’ ("What shall I do without Wurydice?"’) is from Gluck’s "Orpheus." It is to be sung by Miss Dulcie Mitchell at 3YA on Wednesday, March 6. The background of the song is this: Eurydice, the wife of Orpheus, is dead. The sorrowing husband is allowed to descend into Hades and bring her back, but he must not, in doing so, look on her face. He finds her, and bids her follow him. She, not understanding his averted look, thinks that he no longer loves her, and weeps so that he forgets his vow, and shows his love in one glance. She falls lifeless. "Che faro?"’ expresses the husband’s sore grief. In the end, the god of Love, touched by his distress, again restores Hurydice to him. LJSTHNERS have previously enjoyed a harpsichord solo, played by Friedman. Now, from 3YA on Wed-

nesday next, March 6, they will hear another novelty in the form of a harpsichord and viola da gamba duo. The piece to be played was specially written by Handel for these old-time instruments. The harpsichord was, of course, the prototype of the modern piano. It had a keyboard, but its strings were plucked and not struck with a hammer, as is the case in a piano. The viola da gamba, or "leg viol,’ was so-called because it wag played resting between the legs. Imagine the familiar ’cello, with a longer neck, sloping shoulders, and six strings, and you have an idea of the viola da gamba. The viola da gamba was the most important instrument of its type, since it was the one most used for solo work, but it is specially interesting on the present occasion be cause it is now very rarely heard in solo items. The viola da gamba produced many notable virtuosi, and it was the popular instrument of accompaniment after the lute, and the foundation of the en semble.