Born of the Theatre

Available for 17 days

Donald Macleod explores how light music emerged from the theatre pits of late-19th-century Britain and began to find audiences in concert halls, music halls and at home, focusing on the composers Edward German and Haydn Wood. The names of the composers of British light music - Coates, Ketèlby, Farnon, Dring or Tomlinson - might not be as well known as those of Mozart, Beethoven or Bach, but some of their music will be just as familiar to most listeners, and it still provides the soundtrack to many people’s everyday lives through, among other things, the theme music to their favourite TV and radio programmes. Over the course of this week, Donald Macleod tracks the rise and fall of light music in Britain over roughly 100 years, from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th. He’ll be exploring the social history which led to this genre flourishing, from the late-Victorian theatre crowds in want of more popular fare after the successes of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas, to the orchestras which sprang up to entertain the burgeoning UK seaside resorts. Along the way, Donald will examine the explosion of music in people’s homes, as at first pianos and other instruments, and then radio and television sets, became affordable to households across the country, and the transition from silent movies to the talkies. Donald will also explore the challenges which the genre faced as audiences moved towards new ways of listening in the 20th century and the pioneers who have sought to keep this music alive. In Monday’s episode, Donald explores the music of Edward German and Haydn Wood, who emerged from the theatres of Victorian Britain to bring a new, lighter, more tuneful style of music to concert halls and music halls up and down the country. He also explores the impact of the new, more affordable upright piano - a 'must have' for every home. Ronald Binge Elizabethan Serenade New London Orchestra Ronald Corp, conductor Edward German 'If You Wish to Appear As An Irish Type' from Emerald Isle Richard Suart, baritone The National Symphony Orchestra David Steadman, conductor Edward German Nell Gwyn Suite: Overture Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra John Wilson, conductor Edward German Welsh Rhapsody Scottish National Orchestra Sir Alexander Gibson, conductor Haydn Wood Roses of Picardy Gerald Finley, bass-baritone Stephen Higgins, piano Haydn Wood Mannin Veen Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra Adrian Leaper, conductor