Music on BBC4. Don't die of shock.....

[ardcarp]

On Sunday 10th Feb there are two programmes at 8pm and 1030pm about Britten's YPGO and The War Requiem respectively. I've no idea if they are repeats or not, but Mrs A told me about them when we were standing next to a defibrillator. (Because it's so rare to have Art Music on BBC TV.)

[kernelbogey]

Oh Phew! For a few moments I thought you were saying there was music on Radio 4.

[Mary Chambers]

I don’t think they are repeats. It’s an occasional series about ‘our classical century’. There was one last night with Suzy KLein and John Simpson, mainly about Walton, Shostakovich and Britten. I enjoyed it.

[ardcarp]

Ooh, I missed that. Thanks for the tip MC.

[pastoralguy]

I don’t think they are repeats. It’s an occasional series about ‘our classical century’. There was one last night with Suzy KLein and John Simpson, mainly about Walton, Shostakovich and Britten. I enjoyed it.

Yes, I did too. Alas, no fur hat wearing from La Klein.

[teamsaint]

Quite a bit about BBC commissioning and related subjects in here.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/feb/07/the-class-pay-gap-why-it-pays-to-be-privileged

Not many surprises though.

[Bella Kemp]

'Our Classical Century' was a splendid programme, drawing one's attention to the importance of the role of classical music (and education generally) in postwar Britain. One might almost have succumbed to a misty-eyed nostalgia for a Golden Age, were it not for a still small voice whispering, 'Don't forget the racism, the homophobia, the child abuse, the grinding poverty, the vague terror inspired by the socialist regimes to the East. John Simpson, clutching an old LP, spoke of his thrill on first hearing A Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra - and, for a moment, one experienced a memory of that same excitement and hope for the future that was somehow embodied in this music. The programme reminded one that we have lost that hope as a Nation - both our main political parties have become appalling and Brexit is a disaster on the horizon. Somewhere there is a hope waiting to be born - maybe sooner than we imagine. Let's pray that it will be inspired by great music.

[ardcarp]

Somewhere there is a hope waiting to be born

Hope you're right Bella!

'Our Classical Century' was a splendid programme, drawing one's attention to the importance of the role of classical music (and education generally) in postwar Britain.

Yes in many ways my generation (same as John Simpson's) was a lucky one. And didn't he present his part of the programme well.....

[LMcD]

Re. Britten's 'Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra'
Between sections, Derham interviews orchestra members and experts who explain why the Guide is 'Britten at his absolute best'

Hmm...

[ardcarp]

OK, well it is Britten at his best in terms of using the 'Variations' form and in his mastery of orchestral technique. It suffers, I suppose, from those short link passages where the narrator was supposed to chip in, but its apotheosis, the final fugue, is IMHO brilliant. Personally I detest hearing it with a narrator...but then if it does what it says on the tin and Guides Young Persons to the Orchestra, that can't be a bad thing.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I think that Britten wrote far better examples of "Variations" Form, ardy (the Frank Bridges and A Boy Was Born for starters) and of his individual handling of the orchestra. "Absolute best" is standard BBC mush that really undervalues Britten's considerable achivements elsewhere - BUT, given the nature of the commission, I think that the Vars & Fugue on a Theme by Purcell does show an extraordinarily imaginative way of demonstrating to new listeners the timbres of the individual instruments and of the choirs to which they belong. (And, yes - I love that concluding Fugue, too.)

[Sir Velo]

but then if it does what it says on the tin and Guides Young Persons to the Orchestra, that can't be a bad thing.

The title has always struck me as particularly offputting. I can't imagine many of today's "young persons" being drawn towards it. "YPGTTO" has always struck me as being rather worthy in a 1950s "Now children let's all listen with mother and father to some nice classical music by the gramophone" manner.

Far better to use it's alternative title, which may well see it return to the level of popularity afforded to Britten's other major orchestral works.

[Conchis]

The title has always struck me as particularly offputting. I can't imagine many of today's "young persons" being drawn towards it. "YPGTTO" has always struck me as being rather worthy in a 1950s "Now children let's all listen with mother and father to some nice classical music by the gramophone" manner.

Far better to use it's alternative title, which may well see it return to the level of popularity afforded to Britten's other major orchestral works.

Totally agree. Back when I was young, being referred to as a 'young person' made my flesh crawl and I would never have chosen to listen to a work with such a clunky title. Variations on a Theme of Henry Purcell is infinitely preferable and it's the title by which I refer to the work.

[Mary Chambers]

My son, now in his mid-forties, disliked the title very much when he was a boy. Nevertheless, it’s still a very popular piece in all age groups.

I suppose ‘young person’ is a way of avoiding calling it a ‘children’s’ guide to the orchestra. No teenager would want to listen to that.

Can anyone think of a better title implying it is a piece aimed at the young?

[Conchis]

My son, now in his mid-forties, disliked the title very much when he was a boy. Nevertheless, it’s still a very popular piece in all age groups.

I suppose ‘young person’ is a way of avoiding calling it a ‘children’s’ guide to the orchestra. No teenager would want to listen to that.

Can anyone think of a better title implying it is a piece aimed at the young?

Did he need to say it was aimed at the young?

It may have an educational purpose, but I've never listened to it to 'learn things' (and it's been a long time since the narration was used).