Private Passions

[Anna]

A little bit of The Blessed Brian goes a very long way when he is in OTT mode. But I loved it (I don't usually listen to PP), his stories were wonderful if slightly of the 'do I really believe that?' variety, but I loved his choice of music. How about he does a Saturday Classics?

[pursuivant]

moving on a few days I like the programme and enjoyed Mark Wallinger today (July 15) but why when ending with a discussion of Whiter Shade of Pale did they merely refer vaaguely to Bach when the thing that really shouts at the listener is that the melody is a direct crib from Poeme by Fibich (with a bit of When a man loves a woman by Percy Sledge thrown in). I like sixties poular music but not when it is stolen from classical composers without acknowledgement.

[JFLL]

moving on a few days I like the programme and enjoyed Mark Wallinger today (July 15) but why when ending with a discussion of Whiter Shade of Pale did they merely refer vaaguely to Bach when the thing that really shouts at the listener is that the melody is a direct crib from Poeme by Fibich (with a bit of When a man loves a woman by Percy Sledge thrown in). I like sixties poular music but not when it is stolen from classical composers without acknowledgement.

But would Procol Harum ever have heard Fibich's Poeme (I certainly haven't) or even heard of Fibich (I hadn't in 1967)? And if not, could A Whiter Shade of Pale really be called a direct crib? (More a case of great minds thinking alike? )

[Richard Tarleton]

But would Procol Harum ever have heard Fibich's Poeme (I certainly haven't) or even heard of Fibich (I hadn't in 1967)? And if not, could A Whiter Shade of Pale really be called a direct crib? (More a case of great minds thinking alike? )

There was a lawsuit about who composed it!

[pursuivant]

But it is worse than you might think because years ago sundry artists certainly knew about Fibich and took hold of his Poeme and sang crass words to it by some hack (whose name I can't be bothered to look up). If you want to be appalled just type in 'Richard Tauber Fibich' and at the top of the list you will find his recording of this monstrosity on you tube. Tauber should have known better but plenty of others did likewise (some of those are on you tube too). Procul Harum's rendition was at least used to create an original sort of number cleverly orchestrated therefore it is easier to forgive them the element of theft because they were creative with the melody.

[gradus]

Thanks for the Tauber link, I hadn't heard it before and I'm afraid rather enjoyed it. Incidentally I see that Rudy Vallee also recorded it in 1933 and as you mention, many others too latched on to its attractive melody. As to Tauber 'knowing better', is there a particular reason why he should have? After all he sang to make a living as well as for his 'Art'.

[Stanley Stewart]

A quite exquisite performance of Poem (from the idyll 'At Twilight', Op 39) by Jarmila Novotna, Czech Songs and Arias, (Supraphon 11 1491-2 201) (1992), which also includes Jan Masaryk's memorable cycle, Songs of Lidice.

[Barbirollians]

Thanks for the Tauber link, I hadn't heard it before and I'm afraid rather enjoyed it. Incidentally I see that Rudy Vallee also recorded it in 1933 and as you mention, many others too latched on to its attractive melody. As to Tauber 'knowing better', is there a particular reason why he should have? After all he sang to make a living as well as for his 'Art'.

I rather enjoyed it too ! Rather lovely . Jarmila Novotna 's 1934 performance is too.

There is a performance of the Fibich on violin by Ivry Gitlis on YT when you do very much hear what pursuivant says though about Whiter Shade of Pale .

[Barbirollians]

A quite exquisite performance of Poem (from the idyll 'At Twilight', Op 39) by Jarmila Novotna, Czech Songs and Arias, (Supraphon 11 1491-2 201) (1992), which also includes Jan Masaryk's memorable cycle, Songs of Lidice.

I managed to track down a second hand copy of this CD and I could not agree more . Exquisite it is - what wonderful, characterful singing .

[Paul Sherratt]

When 'Private Passions' episodes are taken over by 'Strictly Come Dancing' regulars later this year will forum listeners be
able contain their excitement ?

Or, like Jerry, keep cool ?
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