Solemn Commemoration of the Centenary of the Outbreak of World War I

[amateur51]

Richard Dimbleby's great radio colleague Godfrey Talbot was once caught out by traffic delays during a broadcast of a Royal event at Westminster Abbey so he described the soldiers, he described the Abbey, he described the crowd but still no appearance of the Queen Mother. So he went through the same descriptions adding subtle variations until he obviously received glad tidings in his earpiece "Ah I think the Queen Mother is coming now! I can hear a motor bike!"

[Rolmill]

Does this poor man have a name?!?

I didn't see this, but from Caliban's description, I would guess Eddie Butler (former Wales number 8 and now ubiquitous commentator).

[underthecountertenor]

He also managed to say SALvaTOR Mundi, which grated. Fortunately, the choir was there to correct him.

Mind you, there was also that moustachioed, be-medalled clergyman who didn't manage to say Mephistophelean. I think it came out as Mephistolean.

Singing was good though.

[Nick Armstrong]

I didn't see this, but from Caliban's description, I would guess Eddie Butler (former Wales number 8 and now ubiquitous commentator).

Sounds about right.

http://www.rugbynetwork.net/boards/read/s105.htm?108,12655971

[bach736]

I would guess Eddie Butler (former Wales number 8 and now ubiquitous commentator).

Eddie Butler it was and a bit cheesy too but I didn't think a short commentary at that point was out of place - this was television, after all. More interesting was the organ accompaniment - presumably from the original piano version - beautifully played. A pity this edited arrangement only lasted six minutes.

[Philip]

A shame the posts about the commentary (valid as they are) have rather eclipsed talk of the music itself! I thought Eddie Butler an odd choice for this sort of occasion, but there you go. I was disappointed also that much of the opening hymn was talked over. At least the choir items could still be heard.

[PJPJ]

Impressive.

But I can't believe there's some wretched bloke commentating over the 'Lark'

Just pretend it's Berio........

[ahinton]

Just pretend it's Berio........

How would that help?...

[Serial_Apologist]

How would that help?...

PJPJ's referring to another kind of listening involved in offsetting originally unrelated musics and text, I think. I do it all the time whenever I go out, but in my case it comes free.

[vinteuil]

... does anyone else think this whole exercise - and particularly the bloated scale of it - of marking 1914-1918 - over the next four years - is out of all proportion to most people's authentic interest in the Great War?

[Vox Humana]

... does anyone else think this whole exercise - and particularly the bloated scale of it - of marking 1914-1918 - over the next four years - is out of all proportion to most people's authentic interest in the Great War?

Possibly, but IMO it's most people's level of interest that is at fault, not the scale of remembrance.

[Serial_Apologist]

... does anyone else think this whole exercise - and particularly the bloated scale of it - of marking 1914-1918 - over the next four years - is out of all proportion to most people's authentic interest in the Great War?

If it continues at the current level of concentration I very much fear so. This is so typical of publicity these days - talk about tokenism: massive short-term overkill, followed by prolonged neglect!

[Mary Chambers]

... does anyone else think this whole exercise - and particularly the bloated scale of it - of marking 1914-1918 - over the next four years - is out of all proportion to most people's authentic interest in the Great War?

Probably.

The most moving tribute I've seen so far is the end of the Tavener Prom, when Samuel West read Anthem for Doomed Youth, and the Tallis Scholars sang Tavener's the Lamb. I am not usually fond of Tavener, but I find this particular piece very affecting. It's on Youtube.

[Serial_Apologist]

Probably.

The most moving tribute I've seen so far is the end of the Tavener Prom, when Samuel West read Anthem for Doomed Youth, and the Tallis Scholars sang Tavener's the Lamb. I am not usually fond of Tavener, but I find this particular piece very affecting. It's on Youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWZ0IloskZs

[Mary Chambers]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWZ0IloskZs

Thank you, S_A. It could be seen as sentimental, I suppose, but it still worked for me.