"Previn at the BBC" today, BBC 4

[clive heath]

Mr GG see #4, Thomas ( not yet knighted) collapsed in the heat of the summer and the television lights. We were watching from the gallery, drawn to this particular prom by the music which I'd sung in the Imperial College choir back in the 1960s and by the fact that, as a student at the RCM, Thomas Allen had sung in the choir at our wedding.

...not to mention that "My Fair Lady" by the André Previn Trio was a great favourite.

[MrGongGong]

Thanks Clive

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Yes indeed but what a shame that 'Patrick' who saved the day wasn't actually identified by his surname ( unless I missed that?)

MacArthur (or, possibly, McCarthy) - David Jacobs mentioned this in his "intro" (about 38mins in).

I would have liked to have known who the 'cellist and violinist "friends" (before the Janet Baker excerpt) were ... did I miss the identification?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Is there anyone around nowadays who could do something similar, in the (extremely) unlikely event that a broadcaster would commission it?

Michael Tilson Thomas has (and continues to have) a distinguished role as conductor, pianist and presenter on US public service television: currently (since 2006) Keeping Score, some of which are available in the UK via youTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwyBMoQDhEk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHCIJ_oLoHw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7QgPgG4c-g

... etc etc

[pastoralguy]

MacArthur (or, possibly, McCarthy) - David Jacobs mentioned this in his "intro" (about 38mins in).

I would have liked to have known who the 'cellist and violinist "friends" (before the Janet Baker excerpt) were ... did I miss the identification?

I think the violinist was Richard Studt but I'm not sure who the 'cellist was. Possibly Maurice Gendron?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I think the violinist was Richard Studt but I'm not sure who the 'cellist was. Possibly Maurice Gendron?

Thanks - I think you're right about Studt:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=richard+studt&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&imgil=nEIu64Xr6xfdVM%253A%253BMutKHdU2CHKksM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.salisburyjournal.co.uk%25252Fleisure%25252Fentertainments%25252F11057527.Top_musicians_for_spring_concert%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=nEIu64Xr6xfdVM%253A%252CMutKHdU2CHKksM%252C_&usg=__ivyOAxL1PPtM53ZPlpC6q-wEuYI%3D&ved=0CDQQyjdqFQoTCMbUhf_EuMgCFUPDFAodojELEg&ei=oVkZVoaAAsOGU6LjrJAB#imgrc=ircxrlgqDwvtOM%3A&usg=__ivyOAxL1PPtM53ZPlpC6q-wEuYI%3D

... not so sure about Gendron - in the early '80s when the programme was recorded, Gendron was in his 60s, and the performer looked a couple of decades younger.

[pastoralguy]

Thanks - I think you're right about Studt:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=richard+studt&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&imgil=nEIu64Xr6xfdVM%253A%253BMutKHdU2CHKksM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.salisburyjournal.co.uk%25252Fleisure%25252Fentertainments%25252F11057527.Top_musicians_for_spring_concert%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=nEIu64Xr6xfdVM%253A%252CMutKHdU2CHKksM%252C_&usg=__ivyOAxL1PPtM53ZPlpC6q-wEuYI%3D&ved=0CDQQyjdqFQoTCMbUhf_EuMgCFUPDFAodojELEg&ei=oVkZVoaAAsOGU6LjrJAB#imgrc=ircxrlgqDwvtOM%3A&usg=__ivyOAxL1PPtM53ZPlpC6q-wEuYI%3D

... not so sure about Gendron - in the early '80s when the programme was recorded, Gendron was in his 60s, and the performer looked a couple of decades younger.

Yes. I just googled his picture and realised it couldn't be him.

Great playing whoever it was!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Great playing whoever it was!

[ChrisBennell]

Superb programme, which demonstrated what the BBC used to be capable of on a regular basis. It was great to be reminded of the fantastic playing Previn achieved from the LSO in those days. Candide was electrifying, but so was the VW Wasps Overture - reminded me that Previn did a great VW Symphony cycle in those days on LP.

(I also liked the brief clip of the BBC announcer in the RFH (I think) doing his bit in the "old style".) There must also be much more in the BBC Archives which could be tapped.

[Nick Armstrong]

Superb programme, which demonstrated what the BBC used to be capable of on a regular basis. It was great to be reminded of the fantastic playing Previn achieved from the LSO in those days. Candide was electrifying, but so was the VW Wasps Overture - reminded me that Previn did a great VW Symphony cycle in those days on LP.

(I also liked the brief clip of the BBC announcer in the RFH (I think) doing his bit in the "old style".) There must also be much more in the BBC Archives which could be tapped.

Quite. Watched some more this evening, really great viewing & listening.

Decent chunk of a scintillating Rach 3 with Ashkenazy - but I was itching to see more (poignant having had the thunderous experience of Ashkenazy conducting it with Trif a few months back). Slightly less impressed with Jack Brymer's glissandi in Rhapsody in Blue though...

The only reason the full programmes aren't aired - at least online: but surely a few hours on BBC4 would be justified? - must be bloody music rights

[mercia]

the brief clip of the BBC announcer in the RFH (I think) doing his bit in the "old style"

I believe that was Antony Hopkins - it certainly sounded like him. I would liked to have asked Mr Preview if, these days, he would take Beethoven 5 and The March to the Scaffold rather quicker - they felt distinctly slow to me.

[Nick Armstrong]

I believe that was Antony Hopkins

Oh - yes did Chris mean the bod stuck in the Royal Box? Yes that was Antony Hopkins, he seemed somewhat stilted I agree.

[bluestateprommer]

People might like reading this interview by Frank Oteri with "Mr. Preview":

http://www.newmusicbox.org/articles/andre-previn-how-lucky-i-am-now/

I obviously don't have access to the BBC 4 TV content on this side of the pond, so unfortunately can't comment on it.

[Nick Armstrong]

Thomas ( not yet knighted) collapsed in the heat of the summer and the television lights.

Yes indeed but what a shame that 'Patrick' who saved the day wasn't actually identified by his surname ( unless I missed that?)

MacArthur (or, possibly, McCarthy) - David Jacobs mentioned this in his "intro" (about 38mins in).

Just watched the final section of the programme with this footage - I'd heard of the incident but never seen exactly what happened.

Fascinating to hear AP's commentary now - that they initially thought Patrick McCarthy (for it was he) was coming on to make an announcement; and then when he whispered "I can do this" the thought occurred to Previn "what if he's a nutter"

Far from it: http://www.essexlifemag.co.uk/home/p...prom_1_3680737

[mercia]

if Mr McC hadn't stepped forward, what was the plan ?