Princely platitudes on Parry

[ardcarp]

Looks like we have a re-run of HRH venerating Parry on BBC4 on Friday. Its first showing only seems like yesterday ...or is this a sign of old age?

[secret squirrel]

Yes, I agree, but given HM's 60th is officially on 6th Feb (I think...) then perhaps this is the BBC's way of getting in another repeat under the cover of 'topical' (they used the Wedding last year if I recall correctly!).

That said, it was a good programme, I thought, so no complaints!

SS

[teamsaint]

life would just be a little bit better if the bbc could figure out that the whole rest of the world can very well decide if it likes a composer (or building or type of food or whatever) without validation from some clot who only gets litened to because of his hereditary position and his wealth.

I know the bbc think they and the. royals are the only ones with brains, but it just isn't true.
I met someone at work with a brain on thursday.
He is going to help me.

[Simon]

At least Charles can write decent English. And of course, it's typical illogic from teamsaint: just because someone does have some historic or hereditary role in society doesn't mean that their views are a) only listened to because of it, b) worth listening to only because of it or c) worthless because of it. I suggest, for anyone who hasn't heard the programme, that they listen with an open mind and then make a judgement.

It would, I know, be too much to expect rationality, logic or an open mind from teamsaint. But it's getting a bit wearing, reading the same sort of knee-jerk, negative bile, seemingly culled from the pages of various leftwing blogs, every time one reads one of his posts. And it doesn't do much for the level of argument on the forum.

[LeMartinPecheur]

life would just be a little bit better if the bbc could figure out that the whole rest of the world can very well decide if it likes a composer .... without validation from some clot

"Some clot" would appear to be in just the same position as teamsaint and all other boarders who share their enthusiasms here. Thanks, you appear to have spiked all exchange of such enthusiams on any basis!

Much obliged,

Another clot.

[Pabmusic]

Here's the original (quite lengthy) thread: http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...ighlight=parry

There is a problem with the programme, and it's summed up well by Adcarp:

I find myself needing to separate out the programme content - which was good in the sense that it brought Parry's life and lesser known works to a new public - from HRH's involvement in it. Undoubtedly his being there will have increased the audience. Good thing. But his asides were IMO very platitudinous and I wasn't sure of his role. Was he the presenter leading us through the programme, or was someone else? And his sotto voce asides to Mr Dibble whilst the orchestra was playing (I wonder if they were as annoying to them as they were to me?) reminded me of David Attenborough eavesdropping on the mountain gorillas...

Charles was engaging and articulate, but his presence was a gimmick. He did not appear as an 'expert', but as an enthusiast, his contributions being largely to express surprise and pleasure at Parry's output (a sort of up-market, Breakfast 'phone-in'). The problem with that approach is that there have been too few programmes about Parry for us to indulge in such a luxury.* We ought to have had a reasonably complete survey of Parry's life and music, much as John Bridcut did so successfully with Elgar and Vaughan Williams. We got some of that, of course, but it often seemed secondary to HRH's reactions of surprise or enthusiasm. That's what, for me, made this a slightly disappointing programme: people remember it (and discuss it on these boards) as Prince Charles's programme as much as Parry's.

*My wife has reminded me that there was a Songs of Praise devoted to Sir Hubert. It was introduced by...let me see...Harry Secombe!

[Stunsworth]

At least Charles can write decent English

That's assuming he wrote it himself. If he can have a flunky hold a specimen bottle for him to urinate into, I'm sure he can get someone to write his words for him.

[teamsaint]

"Some clot" would appear to be in just the same position as teamsaint and all other boarders who share their enthusiasms here. Thanks, you appear to have spiked all exchange of such enthusiams on any basis!

Much obliged,

Another clot.

Oh dear, my point was about the BBC. Lazy programming.

charles' enthusiasm for Parry is fine. But decision making about programming should be made on the basis of merit.
The royal family already have enough going for them. Give the opportunity to someone who REALLY needs and deserves it.

And the Parry original thread and programme was well enough publicised to withstand my lowly outburst !!

[teamsaint]

At least Charles can write decent English. And of course, it's typical illogic from teamsaint: just because someone does have some historic or hereditary role in society doesn't mean that their views are a) only listened to because of it, b) worth listening to only because of it or c) worthless because of it. I suggest, for anyone who hasn't heard the programme, that they listen with an open mind and then make a judgement.

It would, I know, be too much to expect rationality, logic or an open mind from teamsaint. But it's getting a bit wearing, reading the same sort of knee-jerk, negative bile, seemingly culled from the pages of various leftwing blogs, every time one reads one of his posts. And it doesn't do much for the level of argument on the forum.

Oh, really sorry. I will remember to ask you what I think before I post next time.
Its not irrational to dislike the power and privilege of the monarchy.
Logic is ok to a point, don't suppose mine is off the bottom of the scale.
Knee jerk reaction? well no, I have thought this ever since the original programme was put out a couple of months ago.

Negative bile? read some of my other posts.Some positive ,some negative. The negative stuff is because bad things need talking about in our wicked world.

my mind is open to all sorts of things. Just not perhaps things you would like them to be .

As regards the programme, I wasn't commenting on the content, just the fact that someone else should, in my opinion,ave had the opportunity to make it. I have , for what it is worth, always thought that it is just a small redeeming feature of our nonsensical hereditary system, that those with the power at the top, such as the Hereditary house of lords, could potentially comment without being elected or under political pressure. However, its a small upside, and there is a LOT of downside.

Oh, and I don't read left wing blogs, well not out of habit.
I told you that before. Perhaps you don't believe me.

[ardcarp]

Thanks, Pabmusic, for recalling my original post on the subject. And shall we just cool it a bit some of you guys? No need to slag each other off. I started this thread mainly because I was surprised that the Beeb had repeated the programme so soon. It is ironic that some who hold the view that HRH is maybe a touch lightweight on intellectual matters have themselves reduced the tenor of the debate to bodily functions.

[antongould]

Just listening to Heffer 4 where the presenter claims without PC the British music loving population would not have realised Parry gave us I Was Glad - really?

[teamsaint]

Just listening to Heffer 4 where the presenter claims without PC the British music loving population would not have realised Parry gave us I Was Glad - really?

and we pay for this service........

[french frank]

I very, very seldom take advantage of the undoubted privilege accorded to non-licence fee payers of watching television programmes On Demand. I did watch the Parry programme because of all the chat here last time.

I found it moderately interesting but the one abiding memory for me was David Owen Norris sitting at the piano playing chords and sequences and burbling on about 'Jerusalem'. On the whole I don't go for 'enthusiasm' when it just means repeating the words 'fabulous, fantastic, amazing &c.' over and over again. But, oh, to have more of the DON on R3.

[antongould]

................. But, oh, to have more of the DON on R3.

....and more exposure for I Was Glad of course ff!?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Oh, really sorry. I will remember to ask you what I think before I post next time.
Its not irrational to dislike the power and privilege of the monarchy.

Not at all, but Prince Charles is surely sincere about his love of Parry's music.

Why restrict the venom to Prince Charles? The BBC does this all the time. Maestro, of course; and Michael Portillo making programmes about train journeys.
And many more.