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The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra - Benjamin Britten

Discovering... Series 1
Episode 2 of 4

Katie Derham presents analysis and performance of Benjamin Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra with the ±«Óătv 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 ±«Óătv 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.

59 minutes

Last on

Sun 4 Dec 2022 23:50
±«Óătv Four

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Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:00

    Sir Simon Rattle

    The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op.34: Theme (Allegro Maestoso E Largamente)

  • 00:01

    Seiji Ozawa, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

    The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op. 34: Theme: Strings

  • 00:02

    The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy

    Peter and The Wolf Op 67

  • 00:03

    Leonard Bernstein, New York Philharmonic Orchestra

    The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op. 34: Variation B, Lento (Oboes)

  • 00:04

    Colin Tilney, Derek Simpson, Bath Festival Orchestra: Yehudi Menuhin

    Rondeau

  • 00:12

    Seiji Ozawa, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

    The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op. 34: Theme: Full Orchestra

  • 00:42

    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

  • 00:48

    The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy

    The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Variations and Fugue On A Theme of Purcell, Op. 34

  • 00:48

    London Symphony Orchestra, Andrew Davis

    Variations On A Theme of Purcell, Op. 34 (From "'The Young Persons Guide To The Orchestra")

  • 00:49

    The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy

    The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra: Fugue: Full Orchestra (Allegro Molto)

  • 00:53

    Seiji Ozawa, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

    The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra, Op. 34: Variation XII: Trombones & Tuba (Allegro Pomposo)

Credits

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

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