Bheki Mseleku

The South African Zulu pianist and composer Bheki Mseleku is held in high esteem by colleagues in the jazz world and is rapidly establishing an international reputation. The first part of this programme centres round an informal session in which Bheki plays with trumpeter Hugh Masekela and saxophonist Courtney Pine, and the second part travels to New York to show him working in studio, recordings tracks with Pharaoh Sanders and Abbey Lincoln.

Tim Rice

From his first meeting with a young composer called Andrew Lloyd Webber, to his Oscar-winning songs for Disney’s Aladdin and The Lion King, this programme traces Tim Rice’s development as a lyricist. It centres on a relaxed and informative television interview with the man who is never at a loss for words. Rice and Lloyd Webber talk about the development of shows they created together, such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.

Rap

This lively programme is an exploration into the world of rap and hip-hop, from ist origins in the streets and block parties of New York’s South Bronx, through the explosion of so-called Gangsta Rap in Los Angeles, to the global spread of rap music. Featured artists include Ice Cube, Public Enemy, Arrested Development and UFO.

Karol Szymanowski – Song of the Night

This semi-dramatised film delves into the vivid and exotic imagination of the Polish composer Szymanowski (1882-1937). Though dogged by ill health and misfortune, his whole life was a search to find his own creative voice and to develop and contribute to an authentic Polish musical culture. Szymanowski’s music is performed by the Warsaw National Philharmonic, conducted by Kazimierz Kord. Among those interviewed is the late Witold Lutoslawski.

Vladimir Ashkenazy on Rachmaninov

In this programme the celebrated pianist and conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy, a champion of his compatriot Rachmaninov (1873-1943), urges a fuller appreciation of the composer’s music. Filmed at Ivanovka, the country house south of Moscow where Rachmaninov wrote many of his works, the programme makes extensive use of archive footage and stills. It draws on his writings and features several sound recordings of him playing his own compositions. Ashkenazy also plays and conducts music by Rachmaninov.

In Rehearsal: Zubin Mehta

Featuring some of today’s leading conductors in rehearsal, this series gives a unique insight into the process of creating great music. The conductors’ very different styles and methods; the dialogue between an orchestra and an inspired interpreter; the intensity of the preparations for a concert performance; and the struggle towards perfection are captured in these revealing audio-visual records. Most episodes include a full run-through of the work rehearsed. All include interviews with the conductor who is seen at work. Zubin Mehta rehearses the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra for a performance of Richard Strauss’s Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche Op. 28.

Dmitry and Alexander Sitkovetsky

Dmitry Sitkovetsky is well-known in the West as one of the most exciting and respected violinists of his generation. He also has his own string orchestra, directs a Finnish summer music festival and is a brilliant transcriber and arranger of important classical works. Dmitry’s cousin, Alexander (Sasha), is a rock guitarist and an eminent rock/classical composer. This programme, shot on location in Latvia, St. Petersburg, Finland and London, interweaves the stories of the two cousins, charting their lives and careers.