The Musical Society

AN INCANTATION We have lost the sun, We have lost the sanctity Of black and white, We have lost the relief Of conception By dividing By parting By partly living And partly dying; We have lost the core, The solidity of earth, The muscular ties between Sun and earth; We are living And partly living And there is only Partial ecstasy; There is Incompleteness And shading No tremor Of full realisation.

The Winter Term has seen the continuation of the weekly gramophone recitals on Wednesdays at 12-30 p.m. in Big Hall. They have been very successful. Recitals have been arranged by :-

R. M. Booth and E. G. Thompson. D. P. Norwood and R. J. Frater. D. A. Haxby and R. Hawkins. M. W. Sanderson and D. C. Jack. I. S. Berg and D. J. Osborne. R. A. Jackson and R. F. Wyman. J. M. Smithson and P. McL. Walshaw.

Two Saturday evening recitals and an informal orchestral concert by the School Orchestra are reported below.

ORGAN RECITAL by MR. FREDERIC WAINE

On Saturday, 6th November, Mr. Waine gave an Organ Recital entitled "Borrowed Melodies". With the exception of the first item, which was in the form of variations followed by a fugue on the theme of the chorale "Vater unser im Himmelreich", the programme consisted of chorale preludes. In his introductory remarks Mr. Waine explained how the need for these chorale preludes had been felt in

the Lutheran Church and how the early improvisations of organists had crystallised later into the art-form of the chorale prelude or choral improvisation which had claimed the attention of practically all the composers of organ music.

There was a large audience and the programme was greatly enjoyed.

PROGRAMME 1. Sonata No. 6 (Op. 65). First two movements Mendelssohn "Vater unser im Himmelreich" (Our Father which art in heaven) 2. Chorale Preludes (i) "Martyrdom" (As pants the hart for cooling streams) C. Hubert H. Parry (ii) "Melcombe" (New mercies each returning day, Hover around us while we pray) 3. Chorale Preludes (i) "Herzlich thut mich verlangen" 7 S. Bach (The Passion Chorale) (ii) "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" (Sleepers wake) (iii) "Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit" 4. Prelude on an old Irish Church Melody (S. Colomba) C. V. Stanford "The King of love my Shepherd is" 5. Choral Improvisations Karg-Elert (i) "Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir" (ii) "Nun danket alle Gott"

LECTURE RECITAL by BERNARD SHORE

On the evening of Saturday, 13th November, Mr. Bernard Shore gave a lecture recital to the whole School in the Big Hall.

Firstly he described the history of the viola. It was developed to its present form in 1723 by Stradivari, who is principally famed for his valuable violins. Its pitch is a fifth below that of the violin. Its tone lacks the brilliance and incisiveness of the violin, being more dark and "veiled" in quality. It is therefore less effective as a solo instrument. Until recently it was never much liked by composers, who found it too heavy and ignored it in favour of the violin and 'cello. The classical composers of the time naturally wrote for the most popular instruments, and while there is an abundance of violin and 'cello music of the time, there is none for the viola.

It was not until about 1900 that the viola came into its own, mainly through the efforts of Lionel Tertis, probably the greatest viola player there has ever been. From then an increasing amount of music has been written for it by Vaughan Williams, Bax, Carse, and many 'other contemporary composers.

With the exception of the Vaughan Williams pieces, the programme consisted of pieces arranged for the viola from 'cello or violin originals.

IMr. Shore played with great feeling and skill. The Haydn was very moving, bringing out the full tone and richness of the instrument, especially in the slower passages. The Carol by Vaughan Williams was one of the most enjoyable pieces, its liveliness giving full scope to the wide range of the viola.

He was accompanied by Mr. F. Waine at the piano.

The recital was generally appreciated and enjoyed. The programme was as follows :-

1. 2nd Movement and Finale from 'Cello Concerto in D Haydn 2. Rondo from Haffner Serenade Mozart 3. (a) Slavonic Dance in G minor (b) Carol (c) Christmas Dance Dvorak Vaughan Williams Vaughan Williams

INFORMAL CONCERT

The School Orchestra conducted by Mr. F. Waine gave an informal concert in Big Hall at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, 8th December. The orchestra was led by Mr. G. W. Stevens with Mr. Wicks at the piano. Solos were played by Norwood and Mason.

The concert was well atended, and the work of the orchestra was much appreciated.

The programme was as follows :-

1. Suite for Orchestra (arr. for strings by James Brown and G.W.S., with additional wind and drum parts by F.W.) (i) Gavotte from the Fifth French Suite 3. S. Bach (1685-1750) (originally composed for keyboard instrument)

(ii) Sarabande 7. S. Bach

(originaly composed for violoncello solo) (iii) Simfonie to "Jephtha" G. F. Handel (1685-1759) (originally composed for string orchestra) (iv) Largo G. F. Handel (originally composed for alto voice, strings and continuo) (v) Gavotte and Musette 3. S. Bach (originally composed for violoncello solo) 2. Corvente from Sonata No. 11 in G minor Henry Eccles (d. 1742) Solo violin : D. P. NORWOOD.

3. Romance Berthold Tours (1838-1897) Solo violoncello : P. J. R. MASON. 4. Pomp and Circumstance No. 4 Edward Elgar (1857-1934) Pianoforte : MR. E. A. WICKS. Conductor : MR. F. WAINE.