Britten's Women and Leroy Anderson

[Guest]

My once-a-year purchase of The Radio Times has resulted in the discovery of two promising programmes on Classic FM on the evening of Boxing Day - and previous experience suggests that this station often does evening programmes very well. The Story of Leroy Anderson gives the chance to learn something about a composer I know little about - beyond the obvious orchestral pieces which we all know (and which show great expertise in his chosen genre). Later, at 9pm there is a documentary with interviews with Britten's niece, nurse, agent and housekeeper. Something for the many Britten fans perhaps.

[Padraig]

I once got off with a girl at a party on the strength of playing the Blue Tango on the piano.

Is this relevant?

[VodkaDilc]

I once got off with a girl at a party on the strength of playing the Blue Tango on the piano.

Is this relevant?

Would that be Anderson's Blue Tango - or even Britten's (a lost work from his American days perhaps)? If so, yes.

[Padraig]

She didn't discuss the details.

[Mary Chambers]

. Later, at 9pm there is a documentary with interviews with Britten's niece, nurse, agent and housekeeper. Something for the many Britten fans perhaps.

I've heard it already. Very bitty, but quite fun if you like gossip and household details. Some strange choices of music as they attempt to find something suitably Classic FM-ish.

[BBMmk2]

There's a great wind band piece of his called Christmas Festival, which I find highly enjoyable. There's examples on YouTube. Go for that red coloured oe. Very good playing, by a concert band, ofcourse! :)

[amateur51]

There's a great wind band piece of his called Christmas Festival, which I find highly enjoyable. There's examples on YouTube. Go for that red coloured oe. Very good playing, by a concert band, ofcourse! :)

Is this by Britten or Leroy Anderson, Bbm?

[BBMmk2]

Is this by Britten or Leroy Anderson, Bbm?

Leroy Anderson, Ams.

[VodkaDilc]

I've just listened to the Leroy Anderson programme and found it most enjoyable and informative. Dare I say that it was just as good as Composer of the Week? I must admit that Tim Lihoreau has passed me by until now; what an excellent, straightforward and non-gimmicky presenter:

http://www.classicfm.com/radio/shows/more-music-breakfast/about-tim-lihoreau/

[VodkaDilc]

I've heard it already. Very bitty, but quite fun if you like gossip and household details. Some strange choices of music as they attempt to find something suitably Classic FM-ish.

I managed to find time to listen yesterday. I found it interesting - much information was familiar, but it was an unusual format and it came over well. I thought the array of music was effective; not always the obvious choice. I wonder if Mary (or anyone else) can identify the fascinating extract from Noye's Fludde, where one of the calls to the animals (followed by Kyrie) seemed to be sung by a mature male (possibly Pears, but I can't be sure). It was not from the original recording (though the Kyrie following could have been). I wonder if there was a recording of extracts made by Pears.

[Mary Chambers]

I wonder if there was a recording of extracts made by Pears.

Yes, there is. Britten, Pears, Imogen Holst and the director Colin Graham made a demo tape for the schools in the first production, round the drawing room piano (played by Britten). I can't remember now who was singing in the Classic FM extract. I'll try to listen to it again.

I've also just read that Britten's sisters Barbara and Beth took part in this recording.

[VodkaDilc]

That's fascinating. Many thanks for that information. It seemed to slip into the standard Decca recording once the Kyrie chorus was reached. I had quite a shock when I heard the 'wrong' voice listing the animals in the previous section. I wonder if the demo recording is available anywhere?

[Mary Chambers]

I've just listened, and I can't make out what or who that recording is, because it isn't just a piano. I don't think they had bugles in the drawing room, but you never know!

[ahinton]

Sorry to betray my ignorance but, as what might pass for some kind of excuse for it, I have to admit that it remains unclear to me even after 13 posts what it might have been that Leroy Anderson had to do with Britten's women?

[VodkaDilc]

Sorry to betray my ignorance but, as what might pass for some kind of excuse for it, I have to admit that it remains unclear to me even after 13 posts what it might have been that Leroy Anderson had to do with Britten's women?

No connection - other than being the subjects of hour-long programmes on Classic FM on the same evening.