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Remembering George Martin, Anna Meredith, Motown the Musical, The Witch

Comedian Bernard Cribbins and composer David Arnold share their memories of George Martin. Anna Meredith on her debut album Varmints. Reviews of Motown the Musical and The Witch.

Record producer Sir George Martin was known as the "fifth Beatle" but he also produced comedy records with the likes of Flanders and Swan and The Goons, as well as inventing creative production techniques that changed the sound of popular music. Comedian Bernard Cribbins and composer David Arnold remember the musical genius who has died, aged 90.

The Witch is a new horror film set in New England in the 1630's. When their crops fail and their new born son vanishes a devout Christian family, living on the edge of a wilderness, is enveloped by fear and paranoia. Deborah Hyde, editor of the Skeptic magazine, reviews Robert Eggers' directorial debut.

Motown the Musical, based on the American record producer Berry Gordy's memoirs, tells the story of how the music label transformed the sound of America. Featuring songs by Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Jackson 5, and Stevie Wonder it shows how these artists came to make the uplifting and enduring popular music in history. Music journalist Jacqueline Springer reviews.

Anna Meredith is one of our most versatile composers whose work straddles the worlds of classical, pop, electronica and experimental rock. Until now, much of her time has been spent composing for commissions, but now she's recorded a debut album with her band. She explains how this was a very different working process and reveals what inspired the 11 tracks on Varmints.

Presenter: Samira Ahmed
Producer: Angie Nehring.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Remembering George Martin

    Duration: 12:51

  • The Witch - review

    Duration: 03:58

  • Motown The Music - review

    Duration: 04:10

  • Anna Meredith - composer

    Duration: 07:11

Motown – The Musical

Motown – The Musical

Now on at the , London

Image credit: l-r Brandon Lee Sears, Samuel Edwards, Eshan Gopal, Simon Ray Harvey, Simeon Montague as The Jackson 5 in Motown the Musical ©  Alastair Muir.

The Witch (15)

The Witch (15)
In cinemas across the UK from 11 March

Anna Meredith

Anna Meredith
Her album, Varmints, is out now and she’ll be performing with her band in Manchester, Margate and London at the end of March.  More information about the album and other dates can be found .

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Samira Ahmed
Interviewed Guest Bernard Cribbins
Interviewed Guest David Arnold
Interviewed Guest Deborah Hyde
Interviewed Guest Jacqueline Springer
Interviewed Guest Anna Meredith
Producer Angie Nehring

Broadcast

  • Wed 9 Mar 2016 19:15

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