What has often been regarded in the United States as “hack work,” in England has been accepted as just another aspect of what it means to be a working artist. There is no disgrace in a composer earning a living, and some of the nation’s greatest musicians – including those in the employ of the Royal Family – have contributed finely-crafted scores to its body of cinema.
This week on “Picture Perfect,” it’s an hour of English documentary music. We’ll hear selections by Ralph Vaughan Williams, from “The People’s Land” (1941), Benjamin Britten, from “The King’s Stamp” (1935), William Alwyn, from “The Green Girdle” (1941), and Master of the Queen’s Music, Sir Arthur Bliss, from “The Royal Palaces of Britain” (1966). All four films are patriotic utterances on distinctly English themes.
You may not have seen any of these shorts, but the music is beautiful. I hope you’ll join me for music from English documentaries, this Saturday evening at 6:00 EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.
In the meantime, if you’re having a slow day, why not get a taste of the films themselves?
“The People’s Land,” score by Vaughan Williams:
“The King’s Stamp,” score by Benjamin Britten:
“The Green Girdle,” score by William Alwyn:
PHOTOS: Britten’s stamp and the King’s stamp
