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.
Christian Boltanski
This exploration of the thoughtful and provocative world of Christian Boltanski centres on an interview with the enigmatic installation artist, whose work deals explicitly in death. Born in Paris in 1944, he gives a fascinating insight into his creative impulses as he talks about his unusual Jewish-Catholic upbringing. He gives the impression that, with his own life, as well as with his art, he is constantly posing questions about the recoverability of the past, the uniqueness of identity and the reliability of evidence.
Woody Allen
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.
Clive Barker
Novelist, film-maker and artist Clive Barker is the leader of the popular fantasy and horror genre, with international best-sellers such as Weaveworld and box office hits including the Hellraiser features to his credit. This programme charts Barker’s extraordinary progress from his home town of Liverpool to Hollywood, where he now lives, and explores his literary and cinematic journeys into the darker reaches of human experience.
Penderecki conducts Penderecki
In this programme, recorded in High Definition Television at the Alte Oper Frankfurt, Krzysztof Penederecki, Poland’s leading contemporary composer, conducts the Sinfonietta Cracovia in performances of four of his own works: Sinfonietta for Strings (1992), Viola Concerto (1982/83), Capriccio for Oboe and Strings (1964), and Concerto for Flute and Chamber Orchestra (1992).
Quartet for Clarinet and Strings
In this programme, recorded in High Definition Television at the Alte Oper Frankfurt, Krzysztof Penederecki, Poland’s leading contemporary composer, conducts the Sinfonietta Cracovia in performances of four of his own works: Sinfonietta for Strings (1992), Viola Concerto (1982/83), Capriccio for Oboe and Strings (1964), and Concerto for Flute and Chamber Orchestra (1992).
A Concert of Polish Music
In this programme, recorded in High Definition Television at the Alte Oper Frankfurt, Krzysztof Penederecki, Poland’s leading contemporary composer, conducts the Sinfonietta Cracovia in performances of four of his own works: Sinfonietta for Strings (1992), Viola Concerto (1982/83), Capriccio for Oboe and Strings (1964), and Concerto for Flute and Chamber Orchestra (1992).
The Glory of Gershwin
The best-selling Glory of Gershwin album, master-minded by the great harmonica player Larry Adler and produced by the legendary George Martin, brought together a host of stars to perform Gershwin songs of their choice, among them Elton John, Robert Palmer, Oleta Adams, Lisa Stansfield and Sinead O’Connor. This programme sits in on the recording sessions and canvasses the artists’ thoughts on why Gershwin’s music has such unique and lasting appeal.
Peter Grimes
From the English National Opera 1994: Tim Albery’s startlingly original treatment of Britten’s vivid tragedy was hailed as a landmark production when it was staged at the English National Opera. The critics were unanimous in their praise of Philip Langridge’s remarkable portrayal of Grimes, and the whole company, including Janice Cairns, Alan Opie and Ann Howard, won countless accolades, as did the inspired musical direction of conductor David Atherton. The individual set against the community: this is the theme of the opera and never has this stark opposition been so sharply realised as in Albery’s very abstract vision. Hildegard Bechtler’s stark but beautiful sets underline Grimes’ alienation. (Sung in English)