THE London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by John Pritchard, gave a vigorous performance at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday, and included in their programme the Overture to II Signor Bruschino, by Rossini, which was the first time this had been heard at a Promenade Concert.
Rossini wrote this opera at 21, when he was already idolised by the Italian opera public. The Overture is typical of the rest of this work, lively and tuneful. and includes one of the composer's unconventional devices for producing effects—that of the second violins striking on their desks with their bows.
Peter Katin, the young pianist. gave a brilliant performance of Chopin's Piano Concerto Number 2, and handled the intricacies of the last movement with apparent ease.
A very interesting item on this programme was the symphonic fragments: Le Lartyre de Saint Sebastien (Debussy). This mystery play was written by Gabriele d'Annunzio in association with Debussy who created the elaborate incidental music—a strange combination of personalities. The "fragments" were impressive and gripping—they were last heard at the Proms in 1915. D.E.M.