BBC 4 10 Jan: Vilde Frang & Menuhin

[Zucchini]

Two mini series each of 3 progammes run from 7.30pm if anyone's interested. The first a series of Chamber Music Proms, this one with with the brilliant Vilde Frang; the second from the BBC Archive, this one featuring Menuhin at the BBC, including Franck with his sister, and appearances on Parkinson with Stephane Grappelli and Blue Peter.

(Blue Peter?...dumbing down...dumbing down...someone must send a complaint to the Controller...)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

(Blue Peter?...dumbing down...dumbing down...someone must send a complaint to the Controller...)

No; those were the days when Blue Peter treated children like adults and Menuhin appeared on children's television. These are the days when R3 presenters behave as if they have an audience of children or as if they're auditioning for Play School.

That's the point of this Forum.

Still, good call for the programmes. (Or, if you prefer; "well cool on the telly progs innit blood".)

[pastoralguy]

Really looking forward to this. Menuhin is always good value. Vilde Frang is a class act as well.

[pastoralguy]

However, only the second movt. of the Ravel from Vilde.

[Dave2002]

We know that Gershwin went to see Ravel regarding studying with him. I thought there were hints of Gershwin in that piece.

Even though Ravel lived until 1937 couldn't have been I've got Rhythm though, as that was around 1930, and Ravel's sonata dates from 1923-1927. However, I felt there were definite touches of Gershwin in there. Gershwin actually died before Ravel, in the same year.

Seeing Colin Davis waving his arms around with Menuhin playing the Beethoven concerto was interesting, as also the Bartók duos. The Mendelssohn wasn't too bad - I saw Menuhin do it live with Boult which was a great disappointment.

[pastoralguy]

Really enjoyed the Menuhin programme. Pity there were no complete works but at least the extracts were complete movements. I loved the way Valerie Singleton on 'Blue Peter' referred to the great man as 'Mr. Menuhin' - not Yehudi!

Did anyone notice a young Neville Mariner leading the second violins in the LSO during the Beethoven concerto extract?

[Dave2002]

The Mozart violin concerto was lovely. The solo Bach was really good.

I was amused by John Freeman - I don't think people speak that way any more.

[Tevot]

Still, good call for the programmes. (Or, if you prefer; "well cool on the telly progs innit blood".)

Sorted Ferney. Respect due

[BBMmk2]

I thought that Petroc did a pretty good job with this programme about Menuhin. Thoroughly enjoyed it and MrsBBM did too! Yes I noticed how VS called him Mr as opposed to Yehudi. Respect then for their peers! Although Mr YM did look out of place in that programme!

[secondfiddle]

I thought that Petroc did a pretty good job with this programme about Menuhin. Thoroughly enjoyed it and MrsBBM did too! Yes I noticed how VS called him Mr as opposed to Yehudi. Respect then for their peers! Although Mr YM did look out of place in that programme!

A most enjoyable programme (even though I thought I heard the announcer promise some Walton). It was good to see Leon Goossens. Is there much other archive film of him, I wonder?

[BBMmk2]

A most enjoyable programme (even though I thought I heard the announcer promise some Walton). It was good to see Leon Goossens. Is there much other archive film of him, I wonder?

I was thinking perhaps Leon Goossens, that YouTube, is always a great resource to use, for live or recorded archive footage?

[Stephen Whitaker]

Actually we don't know that Gershwin went to see Ravel regarding studying with him,
it's one of those stories put about by the Gershwin publicity machine both before and after his death
and is repeated with many variations of composer (Schoenberg et al) in the tale.

As regards Vilde , I have seen her perform twice , once in recital and once in Britten's concerto
and can confirm that her tone and technical prowess put her among the finest of her generation.

Maybe that extra zing and star quality was a little muted on screen but she is definitely one to watch.