Recommended Television Programmes

[Serial_Apologist]

Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé: Inside Classical - BBC4, 26 Feb

This coming Sunday - 7.40pm

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra perform Ravel's score Daphnis et Chloé and Olivier Messiaen's series of songs, Poèmes pour Mi, under the baton of Ryan Wigglesworth in his debut as chief conductor.

[oddoneout]

In retrospect, the Skylon evokes a cross between a daddy longlegs and one of those modernist shoji paper shaded bedside lamps from the 1960s. As one of the participants in the making of the Festival remarked, it was a shame that it had to be destroyed - along with the immediate wholesale demolition on the site ordered by the new Conservative government, who disapproved of anything collectively conceived and implemented being used to signal Britain's postwar recovery. Today the sculpture would probably be rejected on H&S grounds.

Well, H&S would be the cover for the real reasons that you mention. I think a dislike of matters arty-farty had a part to play in the destruction rather than preservation as well. They weren't the party of business then either it would seem - missed a moneymaking opportunity big time! The idea of learning from the Eiffel tower experience (although even that, as a temporary structure, was allowed a 20 year life in the original plans) would be anathema of course...

[smittims]

Dan Cruickshank did a splendid TV programme where he went in search of the remains of the Skylon and ended up in Painters' steelyard in Hereford (visible on the up side of the line as you come into H. by rail). He also did one on the Euston Arch and actually found some parts of it at the bottom of a river.

[kernelbogey]

In retrospect, the Skylon evokes a cross between a daddy longlegs and one of those modernist shoji paper shaded bedside lamps from the 1960s. As one of the participants in the making of the Festival remarked, it was a shame that it had to be destroyed - along with the immediate wholesale demolition on the site ordered by the new Conservative government, who disapproved of anything collectively conceived and implemented being used to signal Britain's postwar recovery. Today the sculpture would probably be rejected on H&S grounds.

As I recall, from a distance it looked as though it was suspended 'magically' as you couldn't see the 'guy ropes' from a distance.

[Bryn]

Currently very much appreciating the BBC News Channel's President Zelensky: Unspun World. When it comes to areas where accuracy of communication is vital, Zelensky speaks in Ukrainian. When such accuracy is not quite so crucial, he speaks in English. Clear subtitles.

[Mal]

Currently very much appreciating the BBC News Channel's President Zelensky: Unspun World. When it comes to areas where accuracy of communication is vital, Zelensky speaks in Ukrainian. When such accuracy is not quite so crucial, he speaks in English. Clear subtitles.

Just watched Storyville, "Navalny" on BBC iPlayer (better late than never...) The sequence that describes how he tracked down his poisoners, phoned them, and then conned one into believing he was taking to another poisoner, getting him to spill everything, was amazing.

[Bryn]

Just watched Storyville, "Navalny" on BBC iPlayer (better late than never...) The sequence that describes how he tracked down his poisoners, phoned them, and then conned one into believing he was taking to another poisoner, getting him to spill everything, was amazing.

Thanks, I must catch up with that one.

[johncorrigan]

I'm really enjoying 'The Gold' on the Beeb. Some great performances and a crackin' tale, well told.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0dvdttj

[Bryn]

As referenced by others, earlier:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001jmw0/inside-classical-series-1-6-ravels-daphnis-et-chloe

I am having to access it via my laptop's speakers at the moment but look forward to accessing it again later to channel through a decent, if not jlw standard, AV system. Excellent programming, to my mind.

[Nick Armstrong]

Their latest newsletter confirms, and promises further episodes in March.

Meanwhile, the wonderful Monsieur Lonsdale-Crouch is a bonus on 28/2: inter alia, ‘Hugo Drax’ from Moonraker and ‘Commissaire Lebel’ from Day of the Jackal



https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Lonsdale

As well as this Tuesday’s episode, a further one the following Tuesday (7 March) is announced in the TPTV newsletter:

[Bryn]

Re #2259, I had not noticed that this was the concert broadcast on Radio 3, back on Thu 22 Sep 2022. I think I have that on file on some hard disc or other. If I can find time and enthusiasm, I might try looking at/listening to the different approaches to the audio.

[JasonPalmer]

Enjoying watching Wagner starring Richard burton on YouTube, the film in three parts.

I get more of the references than when I first watched it years ago.

[Bryn]

Re #2259, I had not noticed that this was the concert broadcast on Radio 3, back on Thu 22 Sep 2022. I think I have that on file on some hard disc or other. If I can find time and enthusiasm, I might try looking at/listening to the different approaches to the audio.

Hmm. I have found the Radio 3 version. The first difference is that the audio of the iPlayer (BBC FOUR) version was restricted to a nominal 128 kbps AAC (MPEG-4), whereas the Sounds (Radio 3) version is at 320 kbps AAC (MPEG-4). Thus sounds with sharp attacks, such as those from harpsichords, other plucked strings and many percussion instruments lose some 'edge', etc. at the lower data rate. I have yet to delve into their relative dynamic ranges etc.

[Jazzrook]

Series on Frida Kahlo starting on BBC 2,
Friday 10, March, 9pm:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001jw97

JR

[Serial_Apologist]

Series on Frida Kahlo starting on BBC 2,
Friday 10, March, 9pm:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001jw97

JR