RVW and Britten on Countryfile....

[ardcarp]

... BBC1 at 6.20pm today. Prepare to be infuriated by the presentation, but it was, I suppose, a commendable example of the BBC's recent attempts to 'dumb up' , i.e. to get a bit more Kulcher on the popular programmes. The theme was, roughly, musicians inspired by the countryside; but be warned, it did include people dipping violins into a babbling brook. The most poignant moment was a short interview with an obviously emotional Steuart Bedford.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04lwzyx/countryfile-music-compilation

[Mary Chambers]

A friend told me about this, so I did watch it. I think I've seen the Britten bit before. You are right about being infuriated - an inaccuracy every three seconds, it seemed - but, as you say, a brave attempt at Kulcher. Better than nothing, perhaps.

[BBMmk2]

I thought CWG, was rather emotional when he saw RVW's baton? Yes a good attempt by BBC to dumb up. Might get other people to delve into the music we all love.

[ardcarp]

Might get other people to delve into the music we all love.

Let's hope so. You never know who turns out to be a 'real music' lover. One of my g-kid's parents is a burly cop (hope he's not a member of this Forum!) who looks, sounds and acts macho. But the said friend was at our house the other day and RVW's Fantasia on Greensleeves was on the radio. 'Ooh, my Dad's always playing that in the car', says she. And on further investigation, it turns out that The Lark Ascending and The Fantasia on a Theme of TT were known to her via Dad's BMW SUV. When Dad picked her up, it turned out he was also a fan of New College Oxford, and he had Agnus Dei and Nativitas (mood compilations) in his glove-box.

Well, well.

[Petrushka]

Reminds me of a late uncle of mine who was of the hard drinking, hard smoking, hard swearing sort - but he loved opera!

Sometimes it only needs a tiny spark to set off a big interest and it could well happen to someone watching Countryfile, liking what they heard, buying a CD and away they go.