‘A Fatalist,’ a story from Russia

Press, 15 January 1982, Page 11

‘A Fatalist,’ a story from Russia

Is a man’s fate predestined; is it written in the stars the day he is born? Lieutenant Vulich thinks so and makes a wager to prove his point. “I’m ready to make an experiment on myself — an experiment which will show clearly whether a man can decide to end his life when he pleases, or whether the fatal moment is written for us all ” The experiment involves a loaded pistol at his head. “A Fatalist,” By Mikhail Lermontov, has been adapted and dramatised for radio by Bill Baer. Peter Vere-Jones plays Vulich and production is by Gilbert Goldie. Concert, 4 p.m. today. Beethoven Beethoven alone is represented in the final of this week's Concert programme morning series, “The Classical Symphony," at 9.30. The series has presented outstanding examples of the Viennese symphonic period 1765-1820. The Beethoven is his Symphony No. 7 in A, Op. 92. written in 1812. Colin Davis conducts the London Symphony Orchestra. Beatles Some of the works by the Beatles songwriters, Lennon and McCartney, have been adapted to the styles of more serious composers such as Grieg, Beethoven, Mozart and Tchaikovsky in “Time for Music” tonight, National, 7.30. Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops begin the programme in a spirited rendition of “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” followed by Kenneth McKellar and Jan Peerce

singing two of the bestknown Beatles songs. Other items include “The Beatle Cracker Ballet" (with apologies to Tchaikovsky) ana the Beatle Concerto (more apologies to Tchaikovsky, and also to Beethoven, Mozart and Grieg). Figaro The cunning barberfactotum Figaro is the hero of Rossini’s comic opera “The Barber of Seville.” The story was based on the French play by Beaumarchais and the Rossini opera, first produced in Rome in 1816, has become one of the most popular in the repertoire. In the Friday Concert programme performance at 8.15 p.m. Victoria de los Angeles plays Rosina and Sesto Bruscantini Figaro; Luigi Alva is Count Almaviva. The soloists with the Glyndebourne Festival Chorus and Royal Philharmonic are conducted by Vittorio Gui. Old French The eighteenth century French composers who provided the music at the court of Louis XV are featured on the Concert programme at 10.12 p.m. on Sunday. Included are Leclair with a sonata for flute, viola da gamba and harpsichord, a suite for gambas and bass by Francois Couperin and a recorder concerto by Naudot.

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