ozzeck, Alban Berg's remarkable opera, is already thirteen years old,
but it has not yet been given in this country. One can appreciate (without necessarily applauding) Covent Garden's failure to put On an opera which has established itself beyond dispute as the most arresting operatic master- piece of the last few years ; for it is based on a story which many would find uncongenial. Meanwhile, through the foresight of the B.B.C., we were recently able to hear "Three Fragments" from the opera. Whether one is familiar with the Schonberg idiom upon which Berg's music is founded is of secondary importance. The music needs no academic hitroduction in order to be enjoyed-it appeals immediately as the work of an undeniably creative and authoritative mind. If a stage performance is still out of the question in this country, I hope the B.B.C. will at least give • us some further concert extracts. Listeners who like modern music are, as a matter or fact, enjoying almost a festival at the moment. After Wozzeck, Stravinsky-a whole concert devoted to his work and a splendid performance, in addition, of the Violin Concerto. And now, after Stravinsky, Hindemith. On Sunday evening, the composer will be heard as soloist in his "Concert Music for solo viola and chamber orchestra " ; the whole of the Wednesday Symphony Concert is to consist of a performance of his new oratorio Das Unaufhbrliche ; and on Friday the Concert of Contem- porary Music will be entirely occupied by Lehrstiick-with Harry Tate as one of the clowns !
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