Private Passions

[pastoralguy]

I’ve often thought that, ha ha, should I be invited onto either Desert Island Discs or Private Passions, my choices would be completely different. PP would be more the music I’m listening to just now, influenced by over 48 years of listening. So lots of music I’ve loved/ played/ been involved with whereas DID would be music that has been part of my life since I was a small child.

Petula Clark, Cliff Richard and the Beatles would figure since that was the music I was listening to as a child. Sibelius’ ‘Karelia Suite’ as played by the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Thomas Jenson would probably figure in both programmes.

[eighthobstruction]

....the recent Wayne Sleep one was nothing more than Desert Island Discs....50-75% of which were tracks where Sleep himself was performing....

[Quarky]

It’s a pity that this programme is not reserved for notable people with a genuine interest in classical music (of whom there are many). These days, it’s often people who evidently have no real passion or knowledge of it.

Yes agreed totally. I'm sure Libby Jackson, head of space exploration, the subject today, is a very valuable person, but I'm equally sure she didn't reach her position by indulging in classical music.

As regards marketing this programme as an entry level programme, (along with the programmes on Friday night,) this just indicates to me that Radio 3 has lost its way. The programme ought to be reserved for people associated with the arts, well-known or less well-known, and having a serious interest in music. May be T'Pol might have fared better.

[french frank]

It’s a pity that this programme is not reserved for notable people with a genuine interest in classical music (of whom there are many). These days, it’s often people who evidently have no real passion or knowledge of it.

Radio 3 has marketed PP as an 'entry level' programme, designed to be accessible to listeners feeling their way into classical music hence the four pieces of 'classical music' today (Holst's Jupiter, Verdi's Dies Irae, Handel's Arrival of the Queen of Sheba and Barber's Agnus Dei). As a strategy this has always seemed a nonsense to me. What actually entices the new listener over in the first place - the four classical pieces or the chance to hear Irene Sankoff, Public Service Broadcasting or George Michael (I'm trying to remember why I was checking upon Jenniser Walshe a few days ago)?

At one time the 'private passion' was someone well-known's 'private passion' for classical music, with the odd jazz piece or song from a musical:

15 April 1995 Elvis Costello:

Britten Corpus Christi carol (from album 'Grace')
William Byrd Ye Sacred Muses (rec. 1960)
Mozart Parto, ma tu ben mio' (from La clemenza di Tito)
Henry Purcell Fantasia a 4 No. 5 in B-flat Z736
Schubert Piano Sonata movement (incomplete) D571
Stravinsky March royale (from 'L'Histoire du Soldat')
Sigurd von Koch [fi; sv] The Wild Swans
Kurt Weill My Ship (from 'Miles Ahead')

30 September 1995 David Hockney:

Béla Bartók Quartet No.2 (2nd mvmt Allegro molto capriccioso)
Mozart Bald prangt, den Morgen zu verkunden (from The Magic Flute)
Ravel Five o clock Foxtrot (from L'enfant et les sortileges)
Richard Strauss Falcon Aria from Act II of Die Frau ohne Schatten
Stravinsky Song of the Nightingale (from Le Rossignol)
Wagner Prelude to Tristan and Isolde

16 December 1995 John Bird:

Bach Prelude in C sharp major (from The 48, Book 1)
Beethoven Sonata in A, Op.101 (2nd mvmt)
Boulez Eclat
Debussy Etude pour les octaves
Haydn Quartet in B-flat, Op. 76/4 (1st mvmt)
Arnold Schoenberg 3 Pieces for chamber orchestra
Arnold Schoenberg Herzgewachse
Robert Schumann Sphinxes; Papillons (from Carnaval)
Stravinsky Variations – Aldous Huxley in memoriam

[Philidor]

It’s a pity that this programme is not reserved for notable people with a genuine interest in classical music (of whom there are many). These days, it’s often people who evidently have no real passion or knowledge of it.

[smittims]

In my family, when we saw Rupert Davies in anything we all said, 'look, it's Maigret!'

I haven't seen Robert Powell as Jesus or Mahler. I think it's just a sign of how we live in our preferred orbits these days. When Freddie Mercury died my colleagues were incredulous when I said I'd never heard of him .

[Poppydhb]

Ironically, I suppose, my contact with Robert Powell has mainly been with Jasper Carrott in “The Detectives”, which unaccountably tickles my funny-bone, and the numerous war-documentary voiceovers he’s done. How have I got to 67 without seeing him play either Jesus or Mahler?

Mind you, I only completed a collection of Mahler symphonies on vinyl when Bernard Haitinck died. If that took 50 years, I might get round to those in time, though I doubt I’ll enjoy Ken Russell at this distance.

[JasonPalmer]

Listening now, always enjoyed films with Robert Powell.

When we were kids we always said "it’s Jesus" when he appeared in other roles.

This edition has been much advertised on Radio 3 the last few days and happy to have the time with the radio to listen to this edition.

[hmvman]

A really interesting and enjoyable PP yesterday, I thought, with the stonemason/conservator Simon Warrack (son of John Warrack).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001f5p0

[Nick Armstrong]

....to me, a very strange PP today Ronnie Archer Morgan....apparently of Antiques Roadshow fame....average sort of music with a couple iof aces....but, I was struck by the humanity of the man....his forgiveness of those people/events that have trespassed against him....I was stopped in my tracks, uncomprehending of such benevolence....

Yes a gripping and heart-warming episode. I’d already had him down as a ‘thoroughly good bloke’ watching Antiques Roadshow occasionally - but this hour multiplied my regard for him. What a man.

[ardcarp]

I quite agree! I didn't find it a strange choice of guest. I think they try to have a good mix...not just classical geeks like us!

[eighthobstruction]

....to me, a very strange PP today Ronnie Archer Morgan....apparently of Antiques Roadshow fame....average sort of music with a couple iof aces....but, I was struck by the humanity of the man....his forgiveness of those people/events that have trespassed against him....I was stopped in my tracks, uncomprehending of such benevolence....

[cloughie]

Intensely moving episode today

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00175pv

(I confess I ff’d through the K Jenkins performance )

Quite! and not sure Bocelli would be my first choice for Amazing Grace!

[Nick Armstrong]

Intensely moving episode today

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00175pv

(I confess I ff’d through the K Jenkins performance )

[oddoneout]

Agree on both counts, ardcarp. As another aside regarding the music performance, after that moving moment when MB said "let the music speak for you", Jessye Norman's strident rendition of Dido's poignant aria seemed all wrong to me in the circumstances.

Might it be the one she chose though, bearing in mind she was very specific about the version of the Glenn Gould she wanted?