So here it is, premiered live with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jules Buckley. The 50-minute suite of eight pieces traces the first decade and a half of BBC radio, with spoken word narratives representing those who brought it into existence. I'm assuming most of these were recreated by voice actors, as the recordings seldom sound 90-100 years old, but the voices mesh well with the orchestra and core trio of the band. Musically, I'm hearing surface similarities to Max Richter, maybe A Winged Victory For The Sullen, but with more rhythmic drive than either: PSB's motorik-krautrock influences frequently come to the fore. Folk singer-songwriter Seth Lakeman provides the only sung vocal in a lovely brief cameo.
The visual elements of this performance were also key to the narrative really hitting the mark historically and emotionally - you can hear the radio announcer mention them at the beginning and end of the broadcast. This made me track down the BBC4 TV broadcast to watch it all, and as this really did add another dimension to a great concert, I've included it (in what I believe is an SGTG first!) as an additional download option.
radio broadcast link
TV broadcast link (mp4, 2.3GB)
pw for both: sgtg
Thank-you so much
ReplyDeletethank you!
ReplyDeleteHi, Alan. Your BBC recordings are always very interesting, and this is no exception. It was quite an unusual prom - PSB's music doesn't do anything adventurous or particularly dynamic, which at first makes for an uneventful listen. Gradually, however, you start to get the point. You realise that they're paying a heartfelt tribute to the BBC and to its principles, and aren't letting the music impose itself and therefore dilute the message. I felt quite moved by it in the end and had a renewed appreciation of the significance of the broadcaster I've been listening to for my whole life. Thanks so much for posting it.
ReplyDeleteAlmost my exact thoughts when I first heard the concert! Surface impression of their music was that it could be a bit samey, but the cumulative effect was quite moving. Keen to explore their albums now.
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