The Prince and the Composer (Parry)

[Caliban]

For someone who's supposed to have public speaking as part of his 'job' description he's remarkably bad at it. It would help if he moved his lower jaw a bit. If he finds it (speaking, that is) difficult, perhaps he should see a therapist as his grandfather did.

I've spoken in public about my interests, & I don't think I was anywhere as bad as he is. As for making a TV programme, I'm not royal so I doubt if I would be asked (or a politician or media star).

There does sem to be something of a media blitz on royalty at the moment - the wedding, of course, & the prog about Prince Philip (which didn't boost the 'charm' ratings by much, apparently), & now the PoW. What next - Harry on how to throw a fancy dress party?

Points taken!!

Although I don't think he's that bad, in the sense that a kind of dotty sincerity comes across. I much prefer that to the sort of fake smarminess that comes across from too many people seen on the box

[Flosshilde]

True, in a way, & I expect some of his mannerisms are the result of his upbringing (the D of E as a dad, & being shunted of to Gordonstoun), as much as his grandpa's were. I've just been reading an article in the Herald about the Duke of Rothsay's support for 'saving' Dumfries House, which has been good for the area. I must go & visit it sometime.

[ardcarp]

I find myself needing to separate out the programme content...which was good in the sense that it brought Parry's life and lesser known works to a new public...from HRH's involvement in it. Undoubtedly his being there will have increased the audience. Good thing. But his asides were IMO very platitudinous and I wasn't sure of his role. Was he the presenter leading us through the programme, or was someone else? And his sotto voce asides to Mr Dibble whilst the orchestra was playing (I wonder if they were as annoying to them as they were to me?) reminded me of David Attenborough eavsdropping on the mountain gorillas.

But thanks BBC4 for doing one of your rather rare music programmes.

[EdgeleyRob]

.It was a pity that no mention was made in the film of Parry's fine 'Invocation to Music', (which includes a section very much like the form of 'Blest Pair') and cannot understand why it, like the symphonies is ignored / uknown.
These works deserve to be staple fare at the Proms rather than familiar ones by other composers which can be heard regularly on the radio and available in many recordings.

I couldn't agree more.I love Parry's music and regularly listen to the many recordings in my collection.The same can be said of Stanford , another of my favourite composers.

[Boilk]

Has anyone mentioned that this is a John Bridcut film (he of The Passions of VW and Elgar the Man Behind the Mask ? It is not a "Film by HRH The Prince of Wales" as billed. It didn't convert me to Parry, but I will investigate starting with Sym #5.

(This film will be repeated at 9pm on Monday 6th June).

According to Bridcut's website, he has a forthcoming BBC Four film on Rostropovich.

I think the Bridcut musical films are better put together than those of Tony Palmer, and thankfully he doesn't "stretch" archive photographs and footage to widescreen format, as he recently did in a film that made Holst look like he'd gained four or five stone. :doh:

[Flosshilde]

Has anyone mentioned that this is a John Bridcut film (he of The Passions of VW and Elgar the Man Behind the Mask ? It is not a "Film by HRH The Prince of Wales" as billed.

I wonder if it was PoW who approached the film makers, or vice versa? Is it being hung on the wedding peg? (I've just thought - perhaps 'Blest pair of sirens' should have been played when Kate & Pippa made their entrance? )

Anyway, I'll not say any more (sighs of relief all round) as Parry's music is a closed book to me.

[doversoul]

I am inclined to agree with Flosshild. Is this a programme about a composer or a prince? We now have a photograph of HRH on Radio3 Homepage.

[Ferretfancy]

Caliban,

I will of course suspend judgement when I watch, as actually I'm all in favour of having an open mind,as long as our brains don't fall out of the bottom.Parry is a safe choice for the prince, because on public matters he is under so much restraint. When he does go out on a limb, on architecture for example, he gets a barrage of criticism which is often justified.
Having a monarchy is a form of mental cruelty to all the royals, some deal with it better than others.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

and thankfully he doesn't "stretch" archive photographs and footage to widescreen format, as he recently did in a film that made Holst look like he'd gained four or five stone. :doh:

I think that's just a film editor's utter incompetence, but the producer/director should check it before broadcast.

[Ferretfancy]

Alpensinfonie

I don't think a film editor was to blame, as Tony Palmer does his own editing nowadays.