Ken Russell's 'Elgar'

[Segilla]

As so often happens, revisits to places and films and books and so on are disappointing.

While it was good to see the film again I found Huw Weldon's commentary wooden. Times have changed

But I've high hopes of Max Adrian as Delius.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

i found the hour flew .... good to be reminded of his recognition in Germany, his distinct non-toffness etc ... though his avoidance of capture by the Edwardian Establishment may have been overdone ....

for the time it was made this film was revelatory ... i recall being astonished that the composer of hope etc was such an interesting outsider for much of his life ...

[teamsaint]

I thought it passed an hour quite nicely.

I actually found the commentary quite refreshing, although it clearly was a dated style.

[VodkaDilc]

I forgot to watch it, but have a recording somewhere and have often watched it. I have always preferred the Delius programme.

[Norfolk Born]

The Elgar is repeated at 0215 on the 23rd January. The Delius is also on next week (both BBC4 - where else?)

[Anna]

The Elgar is repeated at 0215 on the 23rd January. The Delius is also on next week (both BBC4 - where else?)

But why is the Delius on at the unsocial hour of 23:00 I wonder? Is it full of famous Russell nudity and sex?

[gradus]

KR was the man for the job - I'd forgotten how imaginatively shot it was, with that visual motif of figure against sky. To my ears the elderly sounding recordings lost nothing of the emotion of the music, particulary in the Gerontius excerpt.
A fitting tribute to a great director who made a significant contribution to the revival of the reputation of 'England's greatest composer'.

[Norfolk Born]

[QUOTE=gradus;123310]KR was the man for the job - I'd forgotten how imaginatively shot it was, with that visual motif of figure against sky. To my ears the elderly sounding recordings lost nothing of the emotion of the music, particulary in the Gerontius excerpt.
A fitting tribute to a great director who made a significant contribution to the revival of the reputation of 'England's greatest composer'.[/QUOTE]
Hear! Hear! One tends to forget how little Elgar was played in the early 1960s compared with today.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

A fitting tribute to a great director who made a significant contribution to the revival of the reputation of 'England's greatest composer'.

I fear I must have missed Russell's film about Dunstable; when was it on?

[salymap]

I am surprised to hear that Elgar was little played in the 1960s. I went to concerts and rehearsals from 1947 onwards and with Boult,Sargent and Barbirolli conducting Elgar's music seemed well represented in London at least. Perhaps you were referring to the radio?

[Serial_Apologist]

I fear I must have missed Russell's film about Dunstable; when was it on?

Somewhere in Bedfordshire, isn't it?

[amateur51]

But why is the Delius on at the unsocial hour of 23:00 I wonder? Is it full of famous Russell nudity and sex?

Nudity & sex after 23:00?

Spilled cocoa and a damp library book more likely

[Anna]

Nudity & sex after 23:00?

Spilled cocoa and a damp library book more likely

Speak for yourself Duckie!

To be serious, I really enjoyed it so much and the programme seemed to fly by in a trice. One thing that surprised me (although I know some of Elgar's music I don't know much about his life except the bicycle, Worcester and Hereford, Malvern Hills, etc.) was how long it took him to gain recognition. I am quite minded to get a copy of Gerontius, any pointers as to a definitive version?

[Serial_Apologist]

Speak for yourself Duckie!

To be serious, I really enjoyed it so much and the programme seemed to fly by in a trice. One thing that surprised me (although I know some of Elgar's music I don't know much about his life except the bicycle, Worcester and Hereford, Malvern Hills, etc.) was how long it took him to gain recognition. I am quite minded to get a copy of Gerontius, any pointers as to a definitive version?

Partly down to the anti-Catholicism of the time, Anna, whereas today... we all love Scottycelt.

[salymap]

Anna, my favourites for Gerontius are Barbirolli for Richard Lewis and Janet Baker. Bass,Kim Borg not quite so good.

Sargent for Richard Lewis, Marjorie Thomas and John Cameron. All brilliant. {1954}

My favourite tenor is Heddle Nash, who WAS Gerontius to me. His records show their age but I have him on LP singing one or two favourite excerpts.

Somewhere I have a cassette tape of Simon Rattle and co. but can't remember details.