In the twentieth century, music entered the age of electronics and the microchip. This programme examines the history of this new music, from Stockhausen to Varèse, from pop singles and signature tunes to serious contemporary composition.
Joseph Heller
One of the towering figures of twentieth-century literature and the writer who gave the phrase ‘Catch-22’ to the English language, Joseph Heller died in 1999. This profile focuses on his novel, God Knows, with its somewhat surprising choice of biblical subject matter. Filmed on Coney Island, where he grew up, and at home in New York, Heller talks about the ideas that underlie this intriguing book. Dramatised extracts from God Knows are included.
Mstislav Rostropovich
Cellist Mstislav Rostropovich was indisputably a supreme master of his instrument. After leaving Russia in the mid-1970s, he established a distinguished double career as a performer and a conductor in the West. Filmed at Aldeburgh, when he was Festival director there, Rostropovich is seen rehearsing the Pears Britten Orchestra, performing works by Britten and Penderecki, and talking about his eventful life and his music.
Lester Young
This portrait of the legendary saxophonist, known as ‘the Prez’, centres on a jazz opera inspired by his life. Interwoven with film of this ambitious work in rehearsal and performance are contributions from people who knew him – fellow Basieite Buddy Tate, master of ‘macvouty’, Slim Gaillard, the arranger and composer Gil Evans. Rare archive film of Lester Young reveals a shy, withdrawn man behind the musical giant.
Michala Petri
The Danish virtuoso Michala Petri has won world-wide acclaim playing an instrument
which very rarely finds the spotlight on a concert platform – the recorder. Filmed at home in
Denmark and with the English Chamber Orchestra in London, she plays music ranging from
contemporary pieces, composed specially tor her, to baroque music, including works by Bach and
Vivaldi. This profile also explores the long history of the recorder and its astonishing revival
in recent years.
The Aida File
This film chronicles the life and times of Verdi and the history of one of his best-loved operas. It includes extensive extracts from the triumphant La Scala production starring Pavarotti, archive film of notable Aida productions from the past, and contributions from some of the great singers who have a special affection for this work – Pavarotti, Carlo Bergonzi, Grace Bumbry and Eva Turner among them.
Anthony Burgess on D.H. Lawrence
Novelist Anthony Burgess presents a personal appraisal of D. H. Lawrence (1885-1930). The portrait he paints is of a polemicist against his country and his age: against petty materialism and class conflict, against militarism and the prevailing sexual repressiveness. The film uses locations in Nottinghamshire and Cornwall, extensive period documentation of Lawrence’s work and times, and includes readings from his novels, essays and poems.
Simon Rattle
Sir Simon Rattle, one of the most exciting British conductors ever to emerge on to the international music scene, leads a Workshop with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. He focuses on the musical and orchestral subtleties of the first movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E flat Op. 55 (Eroica) and the finale of Messiaen’s massive Turangalîla-symphonie, which he describes as one of the most exciting and enthralling works of the twentieth century.
Ed Mcbain
In 1954, Blackboard Jungle – the film of Evan Hunter’s book – scandalised America with its raw, provocative view of post-war adolescence. Hunter changed his name to Ed McBain and built a huge international reputation with his thrillers about New York’s 87th Precinct detective squad. In this programme he talks about his work and is followed on a night-time journey through his New York domain. Dramatised sequences from his books are also included.
Oscar Peterson
This studio recording features Oscar Peterson, with Niels Pedersen on bass and Martin Drew on drums, playing a piece specially-commissioned from Peterson for the programme. The music takes as its theme the Easter story, and the great jazz pianist talks about how he adapted his unique style to the composition of a religious work.