E.J.Moeran - play

[Bax-of-Delights]

May I remind FoR3 members that moeranbioman posted this on the R3 messageboard a couple of days ago:

"Although it's to be broadcast on Radio 4 next Friday afternoon [that's THIS FRIDAY 26th] at 2.15 pm it should be of real interest to many folks on these boards. 'Moeran's Last Symphony' is written by Martyn Wade, who previously wrote the play about Percy Grainger "Over The Hills and Far Away" as well as "Before and After Summer" about Finzi. As one who was privileged to be present at the recording sessions, I can only urge you not to miss Tim McInnerny (Capt.Darling of Blackadder fame) as Jack Moeran. A wonderful radio voice."

And Moeran is next week's CoTW.

[Russ]

Am listening now, and yes, Tim McInnerny and his voice are excellent. Shame on me, I hadn't heard of Moeran before, but the snippets of music being played are rather wonderful. The production is excellent in the very capable hands of Cherry Cookson. (Who I think they must have dragged out of retirement!)

Russ

[Bax-of-Delights]

Russ:
Pleased you liked it. I thought it was very well handled bringing in the various threads of Moeran's life in thumbnail sketches within those last few days in Kenmare. The "pier" at Kenmare is little more than a stone jetty which juts out into the Kenmare river at the head of the bay leading out into the Atlantic. I've walked those stone flags along the pier and am now almost convinced that Jack took his own life. It was at 4 o'clock on a very blustery wet day on December 1st and there was little reason for Moeran to be there.
If you haven't heard his music before start with "Lonely Waters" and then perhaps tackle the only symphony.

[Uncle Monty]

I recorded this, and have now had a chance to listen to it. It was, as far as I can tell from my reading of Geoffrey Self's book, pretty accurate, and as has been said, Tim McInnerny was fine. I suppose it was dramatically a bit clunky, but I enjoyed it.

As you say, it's a mystery what Moeran can possibly have been doing on the pier in a violent storm (Self is silent on this), but the inquest found that he had been dead before he went into the water, suffering a cerebral haemorrhage. I suppose the inquest may have been being kind.

[mercia]

if you can get Radio 4 Extra there's a repeat of this play this morning 11:15am

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00w236w

[Flay]

if you can get Radio 4 Extra there's a repeat of this play this morning 11:15am

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00w236w

And available on the iPlayer for a week

[Barbirollians]

Apparently it is on again at 4.15 am for any insomniacs !