Paul Lewis coaching Sue Perkins: First Love

[Guest]

I've only just had the chance to watch this programme which was on last night. It sounded like the same old theme - stars being taught to conduct and so endlessly on. But this was superior stuff and the real star was Paul Lewis! Though I've seen him live many times in recent years, I knew little about Lewis the man (which is just as it should be) or Lewis the teacher. Sue P, having got to Grade 8 as a teenager, was preparing the slow movement of the Pathétique for a recital in Cheltenham under Paul Lewis's guidance. She was hopeless at first, but the final result (played in full - there's the difference from the usual edited highlights with voice-over interruptions) was pretty good. Not surprisingly the aspect Paul Lewis found hardest to instil in her playing was a proper cantabile treatment of the main theme - but she almost pulled it off. It was an enjoyable and instructive hour. It appears to be part of a series, featuring people I have never heard of - plus Alastair Campbell.

NB Have tried to edit the spelling of Perkins in the heading, but it seems impossible to edit titles.

[kernelbogey]

VodkaDilc - where did you see this? Can't find it on BBC iPlayer, nor on Channel 4 or ITV equivalents. Sounds worth catching (though Sue Pe[r]kins is irritatingly ubiquitous these days!)

[gurnemanz]

Sky Arts. I happen to know about it because my daughter is a film editor and has spent weeks working on a later programme in the series. At least Sky is making an effort to produce some of its own programmes rather than just buying in.

[VodkaDilc]

VodkaDilc - where did you see this? Can't find it on BBC iPlayer, nor on Channel 4 or ITV equivalents. Sounds worth catching (though Sue Pe[r]kins is irritatingly ubiquitous these days!)

http://www.skyarts.co.uk/music/article/first-love/

I think it's due to be repeated on Saturday at 7pm.

[Mr Pee]

I've only just had the chance to watch this programme which was on last night. It sounded like the same old theme - stars being taught to conduct and so endlessly on. But this was superior stuff and the real star was Paul Lewis! Though I've seen him live many times in recent years, I knew little about Lewis the man (which is just as it should be) or Lewis the teacher. Sue P, having got to Grade 8 as a teenager, was preparing the slow movement of the Pathétique for a recital in Cheltenham under Paul Lewis's guidance. She was hopeless at first, but the final result (played in full - there's the difference from the usual edited highlights with voice-over interruptions) was pretty good. Not surprisingly the aspect Paul Lewis found hardest to instil in her playing was a proper cantabile treatment of the main theme - but she almost pulled it off. It was an enjoyable and instructive hour. It appears to be part of a series, featuring people I have never heard of - plus Alastair Campbell.

NB Have tried to edit the spelling of Perkins in the heading, but it seems impossible to edit titles.

Yes, I watched that as well, and found it a most interesting programme- Paul Lewis came across as a natural teacher, I thought, and I completely sympathised with Sue Perkins' bad memories of "scale bashing" as a child! And as you say, it was good that they allowed us to watch the complete performance.

Jasper Rees, on The Arts Desk, liked it as well:-

http://www.theartsdesk.com/tv/first-love-sky-arts-1

Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Panjandrum]

Yes, I watched that as well, and found it a most interesting programme- Paul Lewis came across as a natural teacher, I thought, and I completely sympathised with Sue Perkins' bad memories of "scale bashing" as a child! And as you say, it was good that they allowed us to watch the complete performance.

Jasper Rees, on The Arts Desk, liked it as well:-

http://www.theartsdesk.com/tv/first-love-sky-arts-1

Looking forward to the rest of the series.

Yet another example of Sky's commitment to commissioning first class arts programmes. An unexpected success here. Great to see in HD and hear in surround sound.

[Panjandrum]

Looking forward to the rest of the series.

Think I'll give the one of Alastair Campbell learning the bagpipes a miss however.

[amateur51]

Think I'll give the one of Alastair Campbell learning the bagpipes a miss however.

How quickly your claims for Sky's commitment to commissioning first class arts programmes have faded, Panyan

[Dave2002]

I just "love" the way there's no mention of Paul Lewis in the advert - minor celibrity wins over real talent again!

[Panjandrum]

How quickly your claims for Sky's commitment to commissioning first class arts programmes have faded, Panyan

Well, Amateur Dramatics, even Alastair Campbell learning the bagpipes is a step up on Britain's Got Talent, or National Lottery Live, or whatever else you will be watching on your politically correct Freeview channels.

Returning to intelligent posters, I commend the Sue Perkins documentary. I think it salient that Sky were happy to show her performance of the Pathetique unabridged. Thinking back to the last BBC Young Musician, one barely got a bar of music uninterrupted by inane chatter about boyfriends, football and rock bands etc. Obviously, Sky is targeting a more educated and thoughtful viewer.

[Mr Pee]

Well, Amateur Dramatics, even Alastair Campbell learning the bagpipes is a step up on Britain's Got Talent, or National Lottery Live, or whatever else you will be watching on your politically correct Freeview channels.

Returning to intelligent posters, I commend the Sue Perkins documentary. I think it salient that Sky were happy to show her performance of the Pathetique unabridged. Thinking back to the last BBC Young Musician, one barely got a bar of music uninterrupted by inane chatter about boyfriends, football and rock bands etc. Obviously, Sky is targeting a more educated and thoughtful viewer.

I agree- this ridiculous blinkered attitude in which Sky can do NOTHING right is really rather pathetic. It's like denying that Wagner wrote any decent music just because of his politics......

Did you see the Berlin Philharmonic concert the other night,from the Waldbuhne, under Riccardo Chailly, which included The Pines of Rome amongst other delights? No waffle, no interviews with minor celebs in between pieces- just the music. And it was gorgeous stuff- when the Nightingale started its recorded tweeting at the end of the Pines of the Janiculum, in that setting, it was breathtaking. And what wonderful playing in that movement from their new principal clarinet.

I wonder what was on the BBC at that time? I think it may have been Eastenders.......

[rauschwerk]

Obviously, Sky is targeting a more educated and thoughtful viewer.

And, be it said, well-heeled. How much is a Sky subscription? By how much does it exceed the cost of the licence fee?

[Richard Tarleton]

And, be it said, well-heeled. How much is a Sky subscription? By how much does it exceed the cost of the licence fee?

The simple answer is it depends which package you have. Also you're not comparing like with like - they're not alternatives, and offer different things.

If it were not for Sky I would not be able to watch television at all, living where I do, out of reach of cable, aerial and freeview. I had a very poor signal even in the days of analogue. So I find this whole "Sky or not Sky" discussion entirely otiose.

As it is my Sky dish gives me access to digital radio (through my hi-fi system), Sky Arts, and a gazillion other programmes. Sometime next week I'll be watching Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy at home at a time of my choosing, on Sky Box Office.

[Mr Pee]

Blimey, even The Guardian seem to acknowledge that Sky Arts is pretty good:-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/charlottehigginsblog/2010/jul/21/sky-arts-bragg

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/jan/01/melvyn-bragg-written-world

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/culture-cuts-blog/2011/apr/07/arts-funding-sky-arts

[VodkaDilc]

If it were not for Sky I would not be able to watch television at all, living where I do, out of reach of cable, aerial and freeview. I had a very poor signal even in the days of analogue. So I find this whole "Sky or not Sky" discussion entirely otiose.

As it is my Sky dish gives me access to digital radio (through my hi-fi system), Sky Arts, and a gazillion other programmes. Sometime next week I'll be watching Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy at home at a time of my choosing, on Sky Box Office.

I am among the millions who agree with Richard.