At the Fair

Bantock (1868-1946) is best known for his orchestral and choral works (for example, the overtures 'Pierrot of the Minute' and 'Fifine at the Fair', and the Hebridean Symphony) than for his piano pieces. Indeed the piano writing in this piece, published in 1934, is more in the style of mid-period Beethoven thnn that of any of his contemporaries. The piece is very episodic (rather like incidental music to a play), and was described by the reviewer of a live performance in 2004 as "kitsch"! The piece is prefaced by a quotation from Browning (see below) - Bantock also wrote a set ot 9 'dramatic poems' after Browning for piano.

That fawn-skin-dappled hair of hers.
And the blue eye
Dear and dewy,
And that infantine fresh air of hers!
(from 'A Pretty Woman')
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Played by Phillip Sear
http://www.psear.co.uk