The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra - Benjamin Britten
Katie Derham presents analysis and performance of Benjamin Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra with the Â鶹Éç National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Moritz Gnann.
Benjamin Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra (1945) is one of the most frequently performed works of any British composer. It has introduced and enlivened the interest of whole generations of children in the instruments of the orchestra, in thrilling style. It is, however, much more than an instruction manual for youngsters. Now a classic of the concert hall, it is frequently performed to children and adults alike.
Katie Derham presents a detailed analysis of the composition, and the story behind its creation, before it is performed in full by the Â鶹Éç National Orchestra of Wales with guest conductor Moritz Gnann in Cardiff’s Hoddinott Hall.
Orchestra members explain to Katie how Britten drew on the past for themes and techniques, and reapplied them in a twentieth-century context to show off each instrument in captivating fashion. Through interviews and archive Katie learns how the piece was commissioned for a Ministry of Education film during a post-war Britain filled with the optimism and promise of building a new world that would provide high culture for all - a central tenet of Britten’s own approach; to write music that is ‘useful, and to the living’.
The film demonstrates how Britten takes the orchestra apart, allowing each instrument its own variation on Henry Purcell’s theme of 250 years earlier. Through the performance we see how the 13 variations get to the essence of each instrument’s characteristics, showing each section of the orchestra at its individual best.
Last on
Music Played
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Sir Simon Rattle
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op.34: Theme (Allegro Maestoso E Largamente)
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Seiji Ozawa, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op. 34: Theme: Strings
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The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy
Peter and The Wolf Op 67
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Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic Orchestra
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op. 34: Variation B, Lento (Oboes)
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Colin Tilney, Derek Simpson, Bath Festival Orchestra: Yehudi Menuhin
Rondeau
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Seiji Ozawa, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op. 34: Theme: Full Orchestra
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Dame Edna Everage (Narrator), Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: John Lanchbery
Benjamin Britten: The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Variations and Fugue On A Theme of Purcell, Opus 34: Theme
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The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Variations and Fugue On A Theme of Purcell, Op. 34
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London Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis
Variations On A Theme of Purcell, Op. 34 (From "'The Young Persons Guide To The Orchestra")
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The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Fugue: Full Orchestra (Allegro Molto)
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Seiji Ozawa, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op. 34: Variation XII: Trombones & Tuba (Allegro Pomposo)
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Katie Derham |
Executive Producer | Richard Bradley |
Series Producer | Mathew Tucker |
Director of photography | Michael O'Halloran |
Producer | Nicky Lessware |
Director | Nicky Lessware |
Editor | Helen Walker |
Production Manager | Claire Smith |
Production Manager | Tricia Chacon |
Production Company | Lion Television |
Broadcasts
- Sun 10 Feb 2019 20:00
- Mon 11 Feb 2019 02:00
- Mon 23 Mar 2020 01:05
- Sun 27 Jun 2021 19:00
- Mon 28 Jun 2021 00:50
- Sun 19 Jun 2022 23:25
- Sun 4 Dec 2022 23:50
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