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The Better Part of Valour

The Better Part of Valour: The Archbishop of Canterbury talks to Mark Tully about the pros and cons of taking a cautious approach in a world that demands instant answers.

Mark Tully examines the premise that discretion is the better part of valour. A phrase coined by Shakespeare and given voice by Falstaff in less than creditable circumstances, it is usually associated with timidity and cowardice. Yet sometimes the bold approach, the quick answer or the exhortation to seize the day can have disastrous results. Does caution offer an alternative answer?

Mark Tully discusses the pros and cons of discretion as an approach to problem solving with The Archbishop of Canterbury as he prepares for retirement, with reference to some of the controversies he has had to negotiate throughout his time in office. The programme includes readings from Bunyan and Shakespeare and music that ranges from Bartok to Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The poet Lemn Sissay reads from his own work and the other readers are Helen Ryan and Kenneth Cranham.

Producer: Frank Stirling
A Unique production for 麻豆社 Radio 4.

30 minutes

Last on

Sun 16 Sep 2012 23:30
麻豆社 Radio 4

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Out of Silence

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Music Played

  • Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne

    I Won't Back Down

    Performer: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

    • Greatest Hits.
    • MCA.
    • MCD 10964.

  • Harry Barris and Gordon Clifford

    I Surrender Dear

    Performer: Bing Crosby

    • The Definitive Bing Crosby Collection 鈥� Vol.2.
    • Top Town Records.
    • B005XWAJ10.

  • B茅la Bart贸k

    Concerto for Orchestra

    Performer: World Orchestra for Peace conducted by Sir Georg Solti

    • UN 50th Anniversary Concert.
    • DECCA.
    • 448901-2.

  • Ladysmith Black Mambazo

    Phalamende

    Performer: Ladysmith Black Mambazo

    • Raise Your Spirit Higher.
    • Wrasse Records.
    • WRASS100.

  • Edward Elgar

    Falstaff 鈥� Symphonic Study in C Minor Op.68

    Performer: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

    • Henry IV Part 1.
    • EMI Classics.
    • 724355500120.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Cantata, BWV 106 "Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit"

    Performer: The Bach Ensemble

    • Bach, J.S.: Cantatas BWV 106, 131, 99, 56, 82 & 158.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..
    • 4580872.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 16 Sep 2012 06:05
    麻豆社 Radio 4
  • Sun 16 Sep 2012 23:30
    麻豆社 Radio 4