UMS Concert Program, November 19, 1946: Sixty-eighth Annual Choral Union Concert Series -- Yehudi Menuhin

Season: 1946-1947
Concert: Fourth
Complete Series: 2935
Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan

UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY
CHARLES A. SINK, PRESIDENT HARDIN VAN DEURSEN, CONDUCTOR
Fourth Concert 1946-1947 Complete Series 293S
Sixty-Eighth Annual
Choral Union Concert Series
YEHUDI MENUHIN, Violinist
ADOLPH BALLER at the Piano
Tuesday Evening, November 19, 1946, at 8:30 Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
PROGRAM
Sonata No. 1 in D major, Op. 12......Beethoven
Allegro con brio
Tema con variazioni--andante con moto Rondo allegro
Sonata in G minor (for violin alone).......Bach
Adagio Fuga--allegro Siciliano Presto
INTERMISSION
Symphonie espagnole, Op. 21.........Lalo
Allegro non troppo Andante Rondo allegro
La Fontaine d'Arethuse........Szymanowski
Hungarian Dance No. 4 in B minor , Brahms-Joachim Gypsy Airs (Zigeunerweisen)........Sarasate
Victor Red Seal Records
Note--Yehudi Menuhin has been heard in the Choral Union and May Festival Series on previous occasions, as follows: February 4, 1932, February 15, 1939, and November 23, 1943.
The Steinway piano, furnished through the courtesy of Grinnell Brothers, is the official concert instrument of the University Musical Society
ARS LONGA VITA BREVIS
PROGRAM NOTES
Sonata No. 1 in D major, Opus 12......Beethoven
The Sonata in D major was written when Beethoven was twenty-nine and showed great mastery even at that early age. It is most pleasant and beguiling music and expresses geniality in every bar; it is full of infectious rhythms and vivaciousness. The last movement is a true rondo form.
Sonata in G minor (for violin alone).......Bach
Bach's set of six sonatas for unaccompanied violin was the result of the composer's personal study of the violin, and they are generally recognized as the finest classics in the literature of the instrument. By reason of invention and marvelous brilliancy of writing, they rank as outstanding examples of his genius and, in the matter of virtuosity and interpretation, they provide a severe test for the artist who performs them.
Rhapsodical in style, the adagio is characteristic of Bach. The juga is an animated movement, with the runs and arpeggios alternating with the polyphony of the fugue. Then from the sweet, pastoral character of the siciliano, it moves on to the brilliant climax of the presto.
Symphonie espagnole, Opus 21.........Lalo
The Spanish Symphony is virtually a concerto of more than average length. It is seldom played in its entirety, and Mr. Menuhin has selected three of the most effective and more familiar movements. The allegro is a vigorous opening with its bold, minor theme which soon subsides into gentle lyric strains. Then comes the beautifully melodious andante which is followed by the rondo, the main theme of this being a Basque folk tune called "The Silversmith"; it has a lilting motion throughout with a highly individual, strongly syncopated accompaniment.
La Fontaine d'Arethuse........Szymanowski
Karol Szymanowski stands out as the chief figure in the contemporary school of Polish composers. He has written many short pieces of a descriptive or impressionistic nature, such as La Fontaine d'Arethuse, one of three poems called "Mythes" for violin and piano. Through its interesting and lovely melodies one is free to picture the frolics of the fountain.
Hungarian Dance No. 4 in B minor .... Brahms-Joachim
One of the early musical experiences of Johannes Brahms was a tour with the Hungarian violinist, Remenyi. He utilized this valuable association by transcribing a number of Hungarian folk melodies he heard, using as a theme the Czardas, the Hungarian national dance. It was Josef Joachim, violin virtuoso and intimate friend of Brahms, who transcribed for violin these dances with their insinuating and exciting rhythms.
Gypsy Airs (Zigeunerweisen)....... Sarasate
The lament with which Zigeunerweisen opens is thoroughly characteristic of the emotional expression of grief among this people at the time of bereavement. The second section, played on muted strings, is probably derived from some Gypsy or Magyar folk tune, forming a more effective prelude to the spirited dance which brings the piece to a brilliant and stirring conclusion.
BUDAPEST STRING QUARTET
in the
Seventh Annual Chamber Music Festival
PROGRAMS
Friday evening, January 24, 8:30 p.m.
Quartet in A major, K. 464........Mozart
Quartet in E-flat major........Hindemith
Quartet in E minor, Op. 59, No. 2.....Beethoven
Saturday Afternoon, January 25, 2:30 p.m.
Quartet in C major, Op. 33, No. 3......Haydn
Quartet in G minor, Op. 10........Debussy
Quartet in E minor, Op. 116...... . Smetana
Saturday Evening, January 25, 8:30 p.m.
Quartet in D major, Op. 18, No. 3.....Beethoven
Quartet No. 2..........Prokofieff
Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 67.......Brahms
Lecture Hall--Rackham Building
Extra Concerts
SALVATORI BACCALONI, Basso Buffo of the Metropolitan Opera--Thursday, December 5 at 8:30
Tickets (Inc. tax.): $1.50 -1.00 -80S
MESSIAH--Two Concerts: Saturday, 8:30, and Sunday, 3:00, December 14 and 15.
Tickets (Inc. tax): 70 -60--40
Chamber Music Festival
BUDAPEST STRING OUARTET
January 24 and 25, Friday Evening, Saturday Afternoon and Evening
Lecture Hall--Rackham Building Tickets (3 Concerts): $3.60 -3.00 -1.80
Choral Union Series
Icelandic Singers........Monday, November 25
Sigurdur Thordarson, Conductor
Boston Symphony Orchestra.....Monday, December 9
Serge Koussevitzky, Conductor
Vladimir Horowitz, Pianist......Friday, January 17
Detroit Symphony Orchestra......Monday, February 17
Karl Krueger, Conductor
Lotte Lehmann, Soprano ..... Wednesday, February 26
Chicago Symphony Orchestra......Sunday, March 16
Desire Defauw, Conductor
For tickets or for further information, please address: Charles A. Sink, President, University Musical Society, Burton Memorial Tower.