Britten on BBC4

[Barbirollians]

Wonderful to see the classic footage of Richter and Britten slugging it out, going toe to toe in the finale of Mozart's sonata for two pianos. For someone who made Clifford Curzon seem the personfication of a relaxed performer, Britten seems remarkably at ease, even finding time to steal amused glances at Richter as the momentum increases.

Richter, OTOH, has a face of thunder, which I never understood until all was revealed by John Bridcut. A great story and one which finally makes sense!

What was Bridcut's explanation ? I missed that in the film .

[Mary Chambers]

For someone who made Clifford Curzon seem the personfication of a relaxed performer, Britten seems remarkably at ease, even finding time to steal amused glances at Richter as the momentum increases.

Richter, OTOH, has a face of thunder, which I never understood until all was revealed by John Bridcut. A great story and one which finally makes sense!

It's a rehearsal, which I had always thought explained Britten's relaxed attitude. He's having fun.

I didn't ever feel that Richter looked cross. I thought he was just concentrating, and being Russian He does laugh, or at least smile, at the end.

[Richard Tarleton]

What was Bridcut's explanation ? I missed that in the film .

It was to do with being filmed, which Richter hated - but BB had agreed and the cameras were already in place - SR was stitched up , and so played very fast......

[Sir Velo]

Ursula Jones had an anecdote of the camera-shy Richter too, a shame there wasn't time to hear more from her I thought.

Was this in the interview with Suzy Klein? I thought SK rather talked over both ladies to the detriment of their reminiscences. Rather like delicate flowers, they needed to be brought on gently, but the presenter hurried them on when a more sensitive approach was required.

[Sir Velo]

Rather nice anecdote from Humphrey Burton, recalling working with Britten. Burton was struck with how Britten made use of the pedal in his pianism, and asked him if they could run through a sequence again,so that he could film his feet. "I'd rather you didn't" said Britten."I don't want to give away any trade secrets!"

Apparently, Britten had been reluctant to have a retrospective made, celebrating his fiftieth birthday. "50s too young", said Britten. "Come back when I'm eighty!"