Peter Racine Fricker: Comedy Overture (1959)

One of the most significant CD releases in the past decade has been Peter Racine Fricker’s Symphonies 1–4 on Lyrita (REAM.2136). This two-disc survey also features the lively early Rondo Scherzoso (1948) and the spirited Comedy Overture from 1958. This Overture was composed during a ten-year gap between the Second (1951) and Third Symphonies (1960). Important works from this period includes the Litany for double string orchestra (1956), the oratorio The Vision of Judgment (1958), Concertos for Piano (1952) and for Viola (1953), several films scores and some incidental music.

The Comedy Overture was commissioned by the Friends of Morley College as a part of the celebrations marking the completion of the rebuilding works at the College. This included the ‘magnificent’ new Emma Cons Hall. At this time, Fricker was musical director at the college.

Two concerts were given. Geoffrey Madell, in the Musical Times (February 1959) felt that both were ‘disappointing.’ The first concert, on 5 December 1958 included Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola (K.364), Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Flos Campi and Henry Purcell’s Ode for St Cecilia’s Day. It was at this concert that Fricker’s ‘light and attractive’ Comedy Overture received its premiere. The performers included the Morley College Chamber Orchestra conducted by Fricker.

The second concert was presented on 9 December, and featured the Morley College Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Malcolm Arnold. According to the Musical Times (op cit.) ‘brave attempts were made at Sibelius’ En Saga and Tchaikovsky’s Francesco da Rimini, but the ensemble was often poor.’ Joyce Hatto played Liszt’s Totendanz and a ‘piano concerto movement attributed to Beethoven.’ The concert also saw the premiere of Iain Hamilton’s breezy pastiche Overture: 1912, which is a parody of music-hall entertainment.

Paul Conway, in his liner notes for the Lyrita CD has written that the Comedy Overture “is reflected in the main theme whose blithe resilience suggests a celebrated quote attributed to Fricker’s illustrious ancestor: ‘Life is a comedy to those who think, a tragedy to those who feel.” The tempo remains Allegro vivace throughout and a feature is made of solos for all the woodwind instruments.’

The Times (6 December 1958) reviewer suggested that ‘one does not automatically associate Mr. Fricker with a gift for the comical in music and his overture, as expected, was scarcely ribald. But it had the pace of comedy and its light expert textures, and deft invention made an agreeable start to the evening. The dry, Stravinsky-like rhythms and sonorities of the work sounded well, which may say something encouraging for the acoustics of the [new] hall. Certainly, the Morley College Chamber Orchestra deserve praise for their share in a successful premiere.’

While I concur that the piece is not ‘ribald,’ its character is imbued with wit - a quality far more nuanced and challenging to convey effectively.

A contrary view is given by David Barker (MusicWeb International, August 2022): “I can’t disagree that it is well crafted, and maintains a fast tempo throughout, but I find it very cold and could not imagine smiling whilst listening to it.”

The performance of the Comedy Overture on Lyrita was played by the BBC Northern Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Albert Rosen. It was part of the BBC’s celebration of Peter Racine Fricker’s 60th birthday, presented on 17 September 1980. The broadcast also included the Piano Concerto (1954) Symphony No 2 (1952).

Listen to the Lyrita recording of Peter Racine Fricker’s Comedy Overture on YouTube, here.