Richard’s BBC Four ‘Inheritance Tracks’

/ December 12, 2020

I have just listened to the ‘inheritance tracks’ chosen by Richard for the BBC Radio Four programme. In case, like me, you missed the  programme this morning where Richard was asked about his ‘inheritance tracks’, here it is:

 

It is a really interesting little clip, with Richard not only telling us which tracks he’d like future generations to hear and appreciate, but also giving the listener insights into the meaning the chosen pieces hold for him personally. He talks about his own musical background – in which the flute actually appears to feature more strongly than I always thought – and how he uses music to build the characters he plays on stage and on film. He refers back to his school days, to his family, and to other bits from his past, some of which we had already heard about. The chosen pieces are beautiful indeed, and I was particularly taken with his second choice, a piece called “On the Nature of Daylight” by Max Richter. Apart from the background of the piece (which Richard talks about, too), I was really pleased he chose a contemporary composer. There is so much wonderful contemporary “classical” music out there, but it is always overshadowed by the composers of the past. Personally, Richard’s choice of Richter has had the desired effect on me – I *am* checking out Richter now. – It’s a really nice “interview”, and I encourage you to listen to it!

However, if I was asked about *my* inheritance track, it would be something that is on the cusp of classical and contemporary. I have always been drawn to faster (as opposed to contemplative) music, and the passion of the Russian composers really appeals to me. My inheritance track is the Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini.

What’s yours?

PS: If I get to it, overdue double edition of Weekly Round-up, later today…

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27 thoughts on “Richard’s BBC Four ‘Inheritance Tracks’”

  1. Thanks for posting Guylty, love 🎼 music 🎶 and listening to pieces like that make me want to learn how to play my 🎻 violin again. Guess I’ll be listening to some classical tunes while working today. 😁

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      • Oh yes, sorry I didn’t see this sooner.
        Have to admit, (since childhood) I’m a bit of a Mozart fan. Especially his clarinet and violin 🎻 pieces. Tho the modern pieces are nice too and I’m glad to have learned if them.

        On top of the regular work demands, I just learned one of the storage facilities we had rented out for years was going to be raising rents again and even tho we’ve been good tenants, it is going to be significantly higher.
        I’m a stubborn bitch and told my hubs we weren’t going to pay it. So we’ve been moving and moving and moving everything to a new space we rented. Although until I can get things laid out how I want, hundreds of boxes 📦 are in my living room. And I’m very embarrassed and think I look like a hoarder. But I’m not, I _swear_ I’m _not_. It’s just gonna look that way for another few weeks (I hope) then I’ll have most if my house back. Well the parts I use anyway. Mess is very embarrassing, but this is what I get fir being stubborn.

        On the bright side, I don’t mind doing physically demanding tasks and my muscles are sore but strong. Hubs doesn’t want me moving 60-70lb boxes, cause he thinks I’m little, or weak or something. Haha
        Men!

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  2. It’s such a shame that we don’t hear about this type of programme till after it’s broadcast he always reveals such interesting information
    I am not at all surprised that he fears water , one incident would be enough but shame on those scouts!
    I think he had to be rescued on the Hobbit set too.

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    • It’s a bit of a theme in his work, isn’t it? He’s been lucky in the last while. No submerged action in TS or UV – although there was that rain scene in the latter… But yes, a very nice interview that gave him room to expand a bit on someing, unlike most interview situations.

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  6. That was a nice little interview and gives us a bit more insight into the water fear/bullying — that would have been scary. I haven’t played piano for years, but my signature piece that my family would ask me to play was this Chopin waltz. Not one of the showier virtuoso pieces, but one that can be played full of feeling.

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  7. Loved this!
    And I’ll give you four:
    Edward McDowell’s very delicate “To A Wild Rose”, Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Chopin’s Prelude in C Minor, Opus 28 Number 20, and Philip Sparke’s Sunrise at Angel’s Gate.
    The first 3 pieces I’ve played on piano over the years. The last I heard performed by the Atlanta Wind Symphony a few years ago & it took my breath away.

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  10. I think the piece that moves me the most has to be “Nimrod” from Elgar’s Enigma Variations. I get very emotional listing to it – so much so that I inevitably end up in tears. In the UK it is almost synonymous with remembrance day which just adds to the emotion. November 11th was also my late husband’s birthday.

    My dream would be to watch the Berliner Philharmoniker play the piece in person! They have to be my favourite Orchestra!

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