SOUTH BANK SHOW, THE: VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: A SYMPHONIC PORTRAIT (TV)
Summary
One in this weekly arts series. In this documentary, Ken Russell hosts a biographical profile of English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). Russell discusses various experiences in the composer's life during brief interviews with several of his friends and colleagues. At various points in the program, Russell's daughter, Molly, listens to Russell describe the history of Vaughan Williams's life. Among the topics discussed by Vaughan Williams's second wife, Ursula, are the factors that influenced his music; his war experiences; her own involvement with his music; and the historical context of his work in the musical tradition of Brahms. She also leads a retrospective of the composer's nine symphonies, relating each to a particular period of his life. As shots of various locations in England are shown, the London Philharmonic, conducted by Vernon Handley, plays excerpts from each of the symphonies. Excerpts from the following works are also performed: "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis"; "The Lark Ascending," discussed and performed by violinist Iona Brown; "Minelaus," featuring tenor Peter Savidge; and "Dona Nobis Pacem." No commercials. (The captions "End of Part 1" and "Part 2," separated by a brief commercial black, appear midway through the program.)
Details
- NETWORK: London Weekend Television (United Kingdom)
- DATE: April 8, 1984 10:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:57:29
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T89:0349
- GENRE: Arts documentaries; Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Biography; Composers; International Collection - United Kingdom; Music - Analysis, appreciation; Orchestral music; Vocal music
- SERIES RUN: London Weekend TV (United Kingdom) - TV series, 1978-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Ken Russell … Producer, Director, Host, Writer
- Ursula Vaughan Willians … Writer, Guest
- Vaughan Williams, Ralph … Composer
- Vernon Handley … Conductor
- London Philharmonic Orchestra … Symphony Orchestra
- Iona Brown … Instrumentalist, Violinist
- Peter Savidge … Singer
- Molly Russell
- Thomas Tallis