UMS Concert Program, March 2, 1958: Seventy-ninth Annual Choral Union Concert Series -- The Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Season: 1957-1958
Concert: Eighth
Complete Series: 3231
Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan

UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY
Charles A. Sink, President Gail W. Rector, Executive Director Lester McCoy, Conductor
Eighth Concert 1957-1958 Complete Series 3231
Seventyninth Annual
Choral Union Concert Series
THE CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Fritz Reiner, Conductor
Sunday Evening, March 2, 1958, at 8:30 Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
PROGRAM Overture to "Beatrice and Benedict"......Berlioz
?Symphony No. 36 in C major ("Linz"), K. 425 . . . Mozart Adagio, allegro spiritoso Poco adagio Menuetto Presto
Rapsodie espagnole...........Ravel
Prelude a la nuit Malaguena Habanera Feria
INTERMISSION
Symphony No. 5, Op. 100........Prokofieff
Andante
Allegro marcato Adagio
Allegro Riocoso
RCA-Victor Red Seal Records Baldwin piano courtesy of Maddy Music Company, Ann Arbor
Note.--The University Musical Society has presented the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in concert on 19 previous occasions; and at the May Festivals from 1905 to 193S inclusive.
ARS LONGA VITA BREVIS
PROGRAM NOTES by Arrand Parsons
Overture to "Beatrice and Benedict" .... Hector Berlioz The Overture opens with an Introduction which falls into two parts. The first, allegro scherzando, presents the main theme of the piece. The second part of the Intro?duction, andante un poco sostenuto, begins with a quartet of horns and contains frag?ments of the second theme.
The tempo changes to allegro for the main part of the Overture. The basic plan of the movement is the sonata-allegro form. The first theme, in G major, 2-2 time, con?taining its potent dotted figure which permeates the entire work, is joined to the second theme by a passage which takes the strings into a high, brilliant register with a triplet figure from the main theme while the dotted figure serves as an accompaniment figure. The quiet second theme is a scale line, first descending with some chromatic half-step motion, and then ascending.
The development section treats the first theme--its dotted motif and its triplet figure. For the recapitulation the second theme returns first which serves as something of a relief from the vigor of the developmental treatment given to the materials of the first theme.
Symphony No. 36 in C major ("Linz"),
K. 425........Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Mozart composed eight symphonies in C major, and of these the work performed on this occasion is the seventh. Written in November, 1783, at Linz, it preceded by five years the three great symphonies--respectively in E-flat, G minor and C major ("Jupiter")--which are generally declared to be Mozart's finest efforts in the form.
The orchestra for which Mozart composed his C-major symphony comprises two oboes, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, kettledrums and strings. The following is an analysis of the work:
I. The main movement is preceded by an Introduction (Adagio, C major, 3-4 time) its opening measures being given out forte by the full orchestra. At the nineteenth measure there is a fortissimo chord of G followed by a pause, and the Allegro spiritoso (C major, 4-4 time) begins. Its principal subject is announced piano by the strings, afterward to be taken up forte by the full orchestra. A transitional passage follows with a busy figure in the lower strings. The second subject, in G major, enters quietly in the strings, oboe, and bassoon. Rather more extended than second subjects in eighteenth century symphonies, this one closes with the customary flourish in the form of a coda. The Exposition having been repeated the Development begins, forty measures being devoted to the working out of material which had been presented in the opening division, just described. The Recapitulation begins with the principal theme in the strings, as in the Exposition. The transitional passage leads to the second subject, now in C instead of G major. The coda, beginning with the same material as before, is extended.
II. (Poco Adagio, F major, 6-8 time.) The principal subject opens at once in the strings, the wind entering at the second phrase. The strings announce a new idea (in C major) leading to the second subject proper, which opens, its melody in the first violins, in C minor, but returning to C major at the close. The Exposition is repeated and, following it, the Development begins. The Recapitulation brings forward the principal theme in the strings, as before. The second subject is slightly modified. A short coda concludes the movement.
III. Menuetto. This movement is simply constructed in the three-part form peculiar to the minuets of Mozart's day. The first division opens forte in the full orchestra in C major. The second (Trio) is written in the same key but with a more suave subject given to the oboe and first violins. The third division is an exact repetition of the first.
IV. (Presto, C major, 2-4 time). The principal subject is given out piano by the strings. The transitional passage opens with a bustling figure in the full orchestra which leads to the second theme, allotted to the strings. There are several sections of this, which concludes with a sixteen measure coda based on the principal subject. The Exposition having been repeated, the second division of the movement is announced, its material being a development of the opening measures of the transitional passage. The Recapitulation brings forward the principal subject in the strings. The transitional pas?sage follows as before, leading to the second theme, given to the strings but now in C major. The coda begins with its material drawn from the principal theme, as in the Exposition, but here it is extended.
Rapsodie espagnole.........Maurice Ravel
Prelude to the Night. Almost the entire movement is based on the figure set forth at the commencement by the muted violins and violas. Fourteen measures later the
clarinet brings forward a short subject, which is also repeated at the end by solo strings. The movement is twice interrupted by cadenzas for two clarinets and for two bassoons respectively, the latter being curiously accompanied by arpeggios in harmonics for a solo violin, and trills for three other violins. The movement ends with a chord in harmonics for the divided violoncellos and double-basses, leading into the next division.
Malaguena. This form belongs to the dance songs of southern Spain, which include also fandangos and rondenos. These are written usually in 3-8 time; Ravel's malaguena is, however, in 3-4.
The movement opens with a figure in the double-basses which plays an important part in the construction of the piece, being repeated for twenty-nine measures, some?what in the style of a basso oslinato. Shortly after the cessation of this figure the key changes from A minor to D major, and a new idea is brought forward by a muted trumpet, accompanied by the tambourine and pizzicato chords in the strings. This having been worked over and brought to a climax, there is a sudden pause, and a declamatory solo is set forth in slow tempo by the English horn. There is a suggestion of the rhythmic figure of the opening movement, given to the celesta and to solos in the strings. The figure in the basses, with which the movement had begun, now returns with chromatic descending figures in the flutes and clarinets above it.
Habanera. This movement was originally conceived in 1895. The habanera, some?times called contradanza criolla (Creole country dance), is Cuban, but it is said to have been introduced into Cuba by negroes who came to that island from Africa. The actual subject of the movement is heard in the woodwind after an introduction of eight measures, in which a syncopated figure for the clarinet plays an important part. The theme is continued by a solo viola, and its opening portion repeated by the strings. A new idea is then brought forward by the woodwind and first harp, its rhythm punctuated by the strokes of a tambourine, the syncopated figure being constantly in evidence in the strings. This theme is worked over almost to the end of the movement, which comes with softly played harmonics in the harp with the syncopated rhythm at first in the violins, and lastly in the celesta.
The Fair. The movement is divided into three parts. The opening division is based on two ideas, the first of which, two bars long, is given out, after lour introductory measures, by the flute. There is a curious passage for divided cellos and double-basses. Some twenty-seven measures after the beginning of the piece the second idea is heard in three muted trumpets, its rhythm being reinforced by a tambourine. The figure is repeated by the oboes and English horn, the xylophone now accentuating the rhythm. This thematic idea is eventually brought forward, fortissimo, by the full orchestra, and with this and the foregoing material the rest of the division of the movement is occupied.
The second part of the piece opens with a solo for the English horn in slower tempo. This is continued by the clarinet. The third division consists of a re-develop?ment--it is not altogether a repetition--of the material of the opening portion of the movement.
Symphony No. S, Op. 100......Serge Prokofieff
When Prokofieff's fifth symphony was played for the first time in Chicago in 1945 by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the program book contained the following descrip?tion of it by John N. Burk:
"It can be said of the symphony in general that the broad constructive scheme of the four movements is traditional, the detailed treatment subjective and daring.
"The opening movement, Andante, is built up on two full-voiced melodic themes, the first in triple, the second in duple beat. Contrast is found in the alternate rhythm as both are fully developed. There is an impressive coda. The second movement has earmarks of the classical scherzo. Under the theme there is a steady reiteration of a staccato accompaniment, 4-4. The melody, passed by the clarinet to the other wood?winds and by them variously treated, plays over the marked and unremitting beat. A bridge passage for a substantial wind choir ushers in (and is to usher out) the trio-like middle section, which is in 3-4 time and also rhythmically accented, the clarinet first bearing the burden of the melody. The first section, returning, is freshly treated. At the close the rhythm becomes more incisive and intense. The slow movement, Adagio, 3-4 (9-8), has, like the scherzo, a persistent accompaniment figure. It opens with a melody set forth espressivo by the woodwinds, carried by the strings into their high register. The movement is tragic in mood, rich in episodic melody. It carries the symphony to its deepest point of tragic tension, as descending scales give a weird effect of outcries. But this tension suddenly passes, and the reprise is serene. The finale opens Allegro giocoso, and after a brief tranquil passage for the divided cellos and basses, gives its light, rondo-like theme. There is a quasi-gaiety in the development, but, as throughout the symphony, something ominous seems always to lurk around the corner. The aware?ness of brutal warfare broods over it and comes forth in sharp dissonance . . . ."
MAY FESTIVAL
MAY 1, 2, 3, 4, 1958
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA AT ALL CONCERTS
THURSDAY, MAY 1, 8:30 P.M.
EUGENE ORMANDY, Conductor IILY PONS, Soprano
PROGRAM
"Credcndum" (commissioned for UNESCO) .....William Schuman
"Quelle joic! Quel bonheur!" (I! Seraglio) Mozart
"Avec de la tendresse" (II Seraglio) . Mozart
Lol Here the Gentle Lark . . Bishop-LaForge
Lily Pons
Le Rossignol........Stratnsky
Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14 ... Rachmaninoff
"Bell Song" (Lakme)......Delibes
Miss Pons
Symphony in D minor......Franck
FRIDAY, MAY 2, 8:30 P.M.
THOR JOHNSON, Conductor UNIVERSITY CHORAL UNION
Soloists: ClARAMAE TURNER, Contralto
BRIAN SULLIVAN, Tenor
MARTIAL SIN6HER, Baritone
YI-KWEI SZE, Bass
PROGRAM Samson and Delilah, an opera in three
acts (in concert form) .... Saint-Saens University Choral Union and Soloists
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2:30 P.M.
WIlllAM SMITH, Conductor
GYORGY SANDOR, Pianist
FESTIVAL YOUTH CHORUS
MARGUERITE HOOD, Conductor
MUSIC BY HUNGARIAN COMPOSERS Suite in F-sharp minor.....Dohnanyi
Hungarian Folk Songs (edited by Marguerite Hood; and orchestrated by Grant Beglarian) Festival Youth Chorus
Rakoczy March.........Liszt
Concerto No. 2 ........Bartok
Gyoroy Sanhor
Dances from "Galdnta"......KodAiy
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 8:30 P.M.
EUGENE ORMANDY, Conductor GEORGE LONDON, Baritone
PROGRAM Tone Poem, "Don Juan'1.....Strauss
"Madamina" (Don Giovanni) .... Mozart To the Evening Star (Tannhauscr) . . Wacnek
Ford's Monologue (Falstaff).....Verdi
George London
"Louisiana Story".......Thomson
Symphonic Suite {Boris Godunov) . Moussorcsky
(transcribed for orchestra by Eugene Ormandy)
Soloist: Mr. London
SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2:30 P.M.
THOR JOHNSON, Conductor UNIVERSITY CHORAL UNION
Soloists:
MARTIAL SINGHER, Baritone MICHAEL RABIN, Violinist
PROGRAM
In Ecclesiis..........Gabrteli
Sacred Service (Parts 1, 2, 3) . . . . Bloch
Canticle of the Martyrs.....Giannini
Martial Sinciier, Baritone University Choral Union
Concerto in D major for Violin and
Orchestra........Tchaikovsky
Michael Rabin
SUNDAY, MAY 4, 8:30 P.M.
EUGENE ORMANDY, Conductor GLENN GOULD, Pianist
PROGRAM Overture to "Egmont," Op. 84 . . Beethoven
Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58, for
Piano and Orchestra.....Beethoven
Glenn Gould
"Quiet City" for Trumpet, English Horn,
and Strings.........Copland
Samuel Krauss, Trumpet John Minsker, English Horn
Pictures at an Exhibition . . . Moussorgsky (arranged for orchestra by Maurice Ravel)
SEASON TICKETS: $13.00--$10.00--$9.00--$8.00
SINGLE CONCERTS (on sale beginning March 10):
$3.50--$3.00--$2.50--$2.00--$1.50
For tickets or information address: University Musical Society, Burton Memorial Tower.