S2.E45.From earthly pranks to celestial peace. Smetana Dance of The Comedians, Strauss Till Eulenspiegel, Elgar Angel's Farewell.

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Welcome back to Perfect Pitch with Nick Healy Hutchinson and his fresh approach to the world of classical music. Whether you're an expert or a beginner, old or young, Perfect Pitch has something for everyone.

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2024 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Bedrik Smetner, a man widely acknowledged as being the father of Czech music, certainly Czech opera. Without him, his most famous fellow countryman, Antonin Dovorjak, would never have flourished the way he did. And it's certainly him who gets all the glory these days. But Smetner struggled to find any real enthusiasm for his music while he was alive either, until the arrival of his second opera, the Bartod Bride. So the 200th anniversary of his birth is unlikely to be celebrated with any huge gusto, although I noticed that his most famous orchestral piece, Marv Last, is getting a rare full performance at the BBC promises here. And its composition as a child's play. The work has survived to self-criticism, although I'm inclined to tentatively admit that I've got some sympathy with his view. We've listened to the overture in a previous episode. So let's get things underway now with the dance of the comedians from Act Three. And for those of you expecting and wanting something with a little more weight, well, we won't have to wait too long. The London Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Charles McCarrass. The opening bars and somebody so perfectly put it. Before introducing us to Eulenspiegel's two things, the first on the horn and the second on the clarinet. In the end, I'm afraid his ex-point catch up with him, and he lands up on the gallows. A drum roll announces the time to his death, but the carinet tells us that Orange People is still laughing about. And then Gordon's opening thing returns. And we're left with an ending which doesn't leave us a disappointment or it's almost as if it's having a lot of story. Last week, at the age of 80, the English conductor Sir Andrew Davis died. He'd been ill for some time, but his sudden deteriorator and death came as a shock. Davis was a rare breed in the world of conducting, a man who combined exacting standards in an enormous repertoire, with a skill for setting orchesters or fellowists, i.e. in its courteous and friendly manner. You'll not find a bad word or defending voice about him anywhere. His object are filled with every effective adjective known to man, which is hardly surprising for somebody who held so many major positions both here in the UK and as far afield as Toronto and Albo. Aside from being a consummate, dedicated musician, he was by all accounts the kindest of man and unfailingly jovial. It's almost impossible to pick a recording to sum up his monumental legacy to the world of music. But a few would dispute that David was one of the great Elgar. So the Angel's farewell, a closing minutes from Elgar's dream of Gorantius is surely fitting. The Angel releases Gorantius' soul into purgatory with the assurance that all will be well. The Angel is sung here by Dame Sarah Connolly with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Sir Andrew Davis.

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