Musical Director's notes and sound files for the Autumn Term

Mily Balakirev: Overture on Three Russian Themes

Written in 1857/8, the Overture on Three Russian Themes was the first purely orchestral work of Balakirev to be based on Russian folksongs. It is a remarkable composition for a young man in his early twenties. An elegantly treated slow folksong, "The silver birch", acts as an introduction and epilogue, sandwiching an Allegro moderato in sonata form. The first subject of this, "In the fields stands a birch tree", in B minor, is the folksong which was to such an extent to dominate the finale of the fourth symphony of Tchaikovsky who, however, destroyed its essentially three-minim structure by inserting an extra minim, rendering the theme tiresomely four-square. Balakirev's treatment is much more convincing. The music modulates to the relative major key of D for the contrasting second subject, "There was at the feast", which was to be used by Stravinsky in his ballet Petrushka. Thus, this overture had important repercussions in Russian music which could not have been foreseen at the time of its first performance in St Petersburg at a University concert in early January, 1859. Nor was it appreciated then that it is not a mere pot-pourri of folk themes, but the earliest example of the successful reconciliation of Russian folk materials with sonata structure, something which Balakirev's predecessor Glinka had never achieved.

Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 103 "Drum Roll"

This symphony was the eleventh of twelve that were composed for performance in England during Haydn's two journeys there (1791-1792, 1794-1795), arranged and organized by the great impresario, Johann Peter Salomon. Haydn's music was well known in England some time before the composer traveled there, and members of the British musical public had long expressed the wish that Haydn would visit. The composer's reception in England was in fact very enthusiastic, and the English visits were one of the most fruitful and happy periods of the composer's life.

Haydn composed the "Drum Roll" Symphony while living in London during the winter of 1794-1795. It was premiered on March 2, 1795 as part of a concert series called the "Opera Concerts" at the King's Theatre. The orchestra was unusually large for the time, consisting of about 60 players. The task of directing the work was divided between the concertmaster, the violinist Giovanni Battista Viotti, and Haydn, who sat at a fortepiano. The premiere was evidently a success, and The Morning Chronicle's reviewer wrote:

Another new Overture [i.e., symphony], by the fertile and enchanting Haydn, was performed; which, as usual, had continual strokes of genius, both in air and harmony. The Introduction excited deepest attention, the Allegro charmed, the Andante was encored, the Minuets, especially the trio, were playful and sweet, and the last movement was equal, if not superior to the preceding.

The piece gained its nickname from the opening solo timpani roll. Bassoons, cellos, and basses follow in a slow introduction that segues into a lively Allegro theme. Not to be forgotten, the iconic drum roll and ominous bass theme reappear toward the end of the first movement, upsetting typical classical sonata- allegro form expectations and proving that Haydn had in no way lost his ability to create original material.

A slow double theme and variations follow in the second movement, leading into a minuet and trio featuring clarinets, instruments Haydn did not have at his disposal in the Esterhaza orchestra. Haydn's finale takes advantage of the horns that sound an initial call, which proceeds to one of the most satisfying conclusions of any work of the time.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Overture to Così fan tutte K.588

Mozart's opera Così fan tutte is the third work to result from the composer's collaboration with the brilliant librettist Lorenzo da Ponte (the other two being Don Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro). The title translates many ways, but "All Women Act That Way" is perhaps the most accurate. Così is an opera buffa (comedy) which was commissioned by Emperor Joseph II, known as a great patron of the arts. The plot is convoluted and silly, and in short, revolves around two couples and an instigator. The opera opens in a coffee house where Ferrando and Guglielmo are confidently stating that their fiancées are pure as the driven snow, and would under no circumstances ever be unfaithful to them. Enter the cynic, Don Alfonso, who wagers the men that he can get their women to prove that they, like all women, are fickle. The boys pretend to be called off to war, but in actuality return in disguises and try to seduce the others' fiancée. The ladies ward off the advances of their disguised suitors for quite some time, but eventually fall prey to the prank. Wackiness ensues, but eventually all works out in the end and the couples forgive each other for their indiscretions.

Così fan tutte premiered on January 26, 1790 in Vienna. It was immediately successful, but only had five performances before the death of Joseph II, at which time all of the opera houses were shut down in honour of the Emperor. The overture opens with a brief slow introduction leading into an effervescent Presto. Unlike many opera overtures, especially later ones by Rossini and Wagner, the overture to Così contains nearly no melodic material from the opera. The only exception to this are the chords used to end the Andante introduction - these same chords are used in Don Alfonso's aria "Tutti accusan le donne" toward the end of the opera, as he sings the words "Così fan tutte!"

Ralph Vaughan Williams: English Folk Songs Suite

This is an orchestral transcription by Gordon Jacob of the original Suite, which was written for military band.

1. March: Seventeen Come Sunday
2. Intermezzo: My Bonny Boy
3. March: Folk Songs from Somerset

Written in 1923, the English Folk Songs Suite is one of English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams's most famous works for military band. Although it is commonly known by the title given above, it was actually published as "Folk Song Suite" - the title which is used on the original score and parts. In 1924 it was arranged for full orchestra (but without second oboe or second bassoon parts) and later for brass band by Vaughan Williams' student Gordon Jacob, at which point the longer title was used, presumably with the composer's approval. It follows that performances and recordings by orchestras always use the later title, but those by wind bands often use the original, shorter, title, even though bandsmen regularly talk of the "English Folk Songs Suite". Jacob remained very faithful to the original, so that his versions may be regarded as transcriptions rather than arrangements.

The Suite consists of three movements: a March, an Intermezzo and a further March. This final movement is based on four folk songs from Somerset. Its premiere was given at Kneller Hall on July 4, 1923, conducted by Lt Hector Adkins. It originally had a fourth movement, Sea Songs, which was played second, but the composer removed it after the first performance and published it separately. (Interestingly, this included an orchestration by the composer himself, not one by Gordon Jacob.)

Patric Standford: A CHRISTMAS CAROL SYMPHONY

Patric Standford's Christmas Carol Symphony began as an improvised entertainment for his children which he eventually built into the framework of an eighteenth century symphony, with a rondo style finale that attempted to use all the familiar Christmas songs and carols that had not been included in the formality of the first three movements.

The first movement (Vivace) features the Welsh song Deck the halls, Ding-dong merrily on high which came from Arbeau's Orchésographie of 1588, and the traditional tune God rest ye merry, gentlemen.

A peaceful second movement (Andante tranquillo) is built around W.J. Kirkpatrick's 1895 tune for Away in a manger and the 15th century melody made famous by Michael Pretorius early in the 17th century, Behold a rose is springing.

A lively March introduces the traditional tunes Past three o'clock, the Sans Day or St Day carol collected in Gwennap, Cornwall, and a Gloucester tune The Holly and the Ivy collected by Cecil Sharp.

The Rondo finale begins with On Christmas night, a tune collected in Sussex by Vaughan Williams, the traditional song I saw three ships, and several others including Christians awake, a tune by John Wainwright known as 'Stockport' dating from 1750, and the traditional American tune We wish you a merry Christmas!

The symphony received its first performance on Christmas Eve 1979 by the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Ashley Lawrence as a broadcast for BBC Radio 3, and subsequently became a firm seasonal favourite. It was recorded by the Prague Philharmonic under the direction of Gavin Sutherland especially for Naxos in 2002.

"An ingenious piece, as clever as Prokofiev's Classical Symphony with the addition of all the well-known Christmas tunes. . . "(Classical Music) "Here is the hand of a true symphonic craftsman off duty, with colour, wit and imagination in his veins . . . a masterly blending of a galaxy of carols." (Donald Webster, Yorkshire Post)

Recording available on HELY-HUTCHINSON: A Carol Symphony (NAXOS 8.557099)