West Indian author, V. S. Naipaul, acclaimed for books such as A House for Mr. Biswas and In a Free State, talks in interview about his writing, in particular his autobiographically-based novel, The Enigma of Arrival. He contrasts the inspiration he found for this work in the English countryside, where he now lives, with the Caribbean, African and Indian influences that dominate his fiction and travel titles. The programme is illustrated with readings from his work.
Barbara Dickson
After many years as a folk singer, Barbara Dickson went on to become one of Britain’s most popular recording and concert artistes. This film shows off the diversity of her vocal talent and she is seen tackling a classical aria for the first time – Gluck’s Che faro senza Euridice from Orfeo ed Euridice.
The Penguin Cafe Orchestra
Under its leader and composer Simon Jeffes, this ensemble has been making its own idiosyncratic brand of music since the mid-1970s, drawing on classical and avant-garde sources, as well as pop, folk and ethnic forms, with instruments ranging from the piano, cello, violin and drums, to the ukelele, electric guitar and penny whistle. A studio recording of performances by the PCO is punctuated with interviews in which they discuss their original and eclectic style.
The Andrew Lloyd Webber Story
Lloyd Webber has achieved unprecedented success in the world of musical entertainment. He talks about his life and his music in an in-depth interview, illustrated with excerpts from his hit shows, including Evita, Cats, and Jesus Christ Superstar, many specially staged for this programme. Elaine Paige, Sarah Brightman and Marti Webb perform Lloyd Webber favourites, and the original production of The Phantom of the Opera is seen in preparation, rehearsal and performance.
Missa Glagolitica
In this recording, Janácek’s great choral work, the Glagolitic Mass, is performed by the Czech Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Václav Neumann, with Jan Hora on the organ. The soloists are Gabriela Benackova (soprano), Drahomira Drobkova (contralto), Josef Kundlak (tenor) and Sergej Kopcak (bass).
Gabriela Benackova (soprano), Drahomira Drobkova (contralto), Josef Kundlak (tenor) and Sergej Kopcak (bass).
Gluck: Winds of Change
Gluck had an insatiable appetite for success and its rewards, and also for food and drink. In 1787, he finally gorged himself to death and died while on a carriage ride with his devoted wife. This fatal outing is the starting point of Inger Åby’s stylised dramatisation of Gluck’s life, set to some of his most beautiful music and filmed in historic settings around Stockholm, including the Drottningholm Palace, with its magnificent eighteenth-century theatre.
Jardi Tancat
Nacho Duato’s ballet Jardi Tancat is based on the lyrics of old Catalan folk songs, set to music and sung by María del Mar Bonnet. Its theme is the joy and pain of working the land and it is danced by three couples who continue to sow, plant, reap and thresh in proud defiance of their barren surroundings. In this programme, a performance of Jardi Tancat is preceded by an introduction in which the Spanish dancer/ choreographer talks about his work. There is film of rehearsals for the ballet and Duato is also seen preparing for the lead role in Jiri Kylián’s L’Histoire du soldat.
Silent Cries
Jiri Kylián uses Claude Debussy’s dreamlike Prélude à l’Après-midi d’un faune for this stylised portrayal of a process of self-discovery and acceptance. He created the solo work in collaboration with his wife, the dancer Sabine Kupferberg, who performs in this studio recording.
Fay Godwin
No photographer has captured such a complete portrait of rural Britain in the late twentieth century as Fay Godwin, using a camera rather than a brush to continue a centuries-old British tradition of landscape artistry. This programme travels with her as she charts her personal vision of the British countryside – one that finds beauty not only in the grandeur of mountains and mists but also in the bleak landscape surrounding a nuclear power station.