Sunday 5th February 2006 at Marlborough College

and

Tuesday 7th February 2006 at St John's Smith Square

Conductor Tom Seligman Soloist Damian Thantrey

Bartók Two Pictures for Orchestra Sz. 46

Mahler Rückert Lieder

Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances

Marlborough College Memorial Hall 5th February 2006

Bartók's Two Pictures (Két kép) for Orchestra Op.10 (Sz 46) composed in 1910, are Virágzás (In full flower and A falutánca (Village dance).

Mahler did not specify the order of play of the Five Rückert Lieder. The scoring is transparent and varied, with ‘Midnight’ containing the the most vigorous climax as fanfares lead to a hymn-like conclusion. The songs are:

Blicke mir nicht in die Lieder
Ich atmet’ einen linden Duft
Liebst du um Schönheit
Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen
Um Mitternacht

Rachmaninov’s final symphonic work is one of his very finest, with characteristic chords and rhythms in the first movement framing an achingly beautiful melodic section introduced on alto saxophone, and a wonderful arching waltz melody invoking the dusk and shadows of the second movement, this time introduced on Cor Anglais. As with Berlioz’ Symfonie Fantastique the final movement has bells striking midnight and the Dies Irae motif becoming increasing clear, but at the end we hear Alliluyas to overcome the night.

Rehearsing Rachmaninov at Marlborough

Click here to view the handbill for the SJSS concert.

©Salomon Orchestra

2006

President Martyn Brabbins - Vice President Oliver Taylor - Registered Charity No. 256753