Available online
Description
This is a film (in colour) of a musical performance in the course of which almost all the instruments of the symphony orchestra, plus many others in current use today, are seen and heard in close-u...p. The music was composed by John Dankworth, a neighbour of the Open University in Buckinghamshire. He also conducts the orchestra and plays the saxophone. The music is ingeniously written, not only to give each instrument its moment of personal display but to allow for frequent quieter moments during which a narration introduces the instruments and techniques of the players. The narration is written by Dro Gerald Hendrie and Dr. Dinah Barsham. It is spoken by Gerald Hendrie who also plays the piano and harpsichord in the orchestra. The film was directed by Dr. Brian Large of BBC Television's music department. He recently directed Benjamin Britten's first opera written for television, "Owen Wingrave".
This is a film (in colour) of a musical performance in the course of which almost all the instruments of the symphony orchestra, plus many others in current use today, are seen and heard in close-u...p. The music was composed by John Dankworth, a neighbour of the Open University in Buckinghamshire. He also conducts the orchestra and plays the saxophone. The music is ingeniously written, not only to give each instrument its moment of personal display but to allow for frequent quieter moments during which a narration introduces the instruments and techniques of the players. The narration is written by Dro Gerald Hendrie and Dr. Dinah Barsham. It is spoken by Gerald Hendrie who also plays the piano and harpsichord in the orchestra. The film was directed by Dr. Brian Large of BBC Television's music department. He recently directed Benjamin Britten's first opera written for television, "Owen Wingrave".
| Module code and title: | A100, Humanities: a foundation course |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A100; 14 |
| First transmission date: | 21-04-1971 |
| Published: | 1971 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:23:16 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Brian Large |
| Contributors: | John Dankworth; Gerald Hendrie |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Instruments; Music; 'Musica in Camera'; Orchestras |
| Footage description: | Shot of Hendrie playing the piano. He is shown with Dankworth. Hendrie introduces Dankworth. Dankworth discusses 'Musica in Camera' which he composed for this course unit. He tells why he composed it as he did. For the rest of the programme the ensemble plays 'Musica in Camera' and the commentary and examples of individual instruments are set to this. Hendrie explains how pitch is varied in musical instruments. This is demonstrated by the following instruments (shots of players and instruments). Clarinet, trombone, violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, harp, piano, xylophone, kettledrum. Several more instruments are played this time with more range. Violin, flute and oboe. French horn, trumpet and tuba. Bass flute, double (contra) bassoon, cor anglais, alto flute, bass clarinet, piccolo. Shot of Hendrie playing the harpsichord. Electric guitar and vibraphone played. Saxophone jazz drum kit. Shots of several instruments being played for special effects. Harp harmonics. Guitar harmonics. Tremolo (on violin). Different tone qualities are demonstrated: violin and horn played normally and then with mutes. Modification of musical sounds by use of pedals demonstrated with harp and kettledrums. Plucking and glissandi demonstrated on the violin. The orchestra continues playing 'Musica in Camera'. |
| Master spool number: | 6LT/70246 |
| Production number: | 00520_1314 |
| Videofinder number: | 2372 |
| Available to public: | no |
