I enjoyed Russell's second Elgar film.I didn't think of it as an updated version of his first one,but a  rather cheeky alternative look at the composer,touching on some things Huw Weldon probably wouldn't have let him do,such as Alice's reaction to Elgar's flirtations.

Elgar's sexuality is a huge subject and its influence in his music has scarcely begun to be explored.  Same goes for John Ireland. I once heard Lewis Foreman was writing an in-depth biography of Ireland but was  thwarted by Norah Kirby destroying most of Ireland's private papers that might have shed light on him and his music.

 # 22     Hi, offbeat.     I've just had an e-mail from MovieMail <specials&moviem.co.uk> with a connected MovieMail film blog on Ken Russell's films.   At the same time, MMs free catalogue with a Flicker Fusion article on KR also arrived in the post.

Julian Upton writes in the film blog along with responses from other contributors.    His article, "Where the devil is Ken's films?" is based on a screening of "The Devils", apparently on an extended digital master, at the NFT in 2004 and, later,  KR confirmed that he had already recorded a commentary for the unexpurgated version of "The Devils" and Upton adds that, if licenced, Mark Kermode's "Hell on Earth" documentary could make a very special edition on DVD.

At the post-screen discussion, a BBFC guy in  audience confirmed that there would be no problem passing it uncut.   It was also felt that Warner Home Video may be scared of the fallout if they tried releasing it in the USA.

"Savage Messiah" and "The Music Lovers" is also mentioned, even "The Boy Friend" (eh?) and a contributor added that even though Russ Meyer's talents were now recognised, in the States, Russell, at 80, remains unappreciated.   Will the tranmission of his Monitor-Elgar trigger a reaction?

I was certainly unaware that KR had participated in "Big Brother" - I do lead such a sheltered life!   Least said, soonest mended, I think.   Nevertheless, his time-out-of-joint may soon be over and, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Bws,       Stanley

Yes, offbeat, I think the time is ripe to take a fresh look at Ken Russell's work  In particular, "Savage Messiah", "The Devils", "Mahler" and "The Music Lovers".   

The renaissance of the 60's, along with the overdue abolition of the Lord Chamberlain's power in the theatre, together with a new leeway from the BBFC - films like "Performance" & "Blow-out" -  did encourage a degree of excess and the intervention of the absurd Festival of Light under the patronage of Mary Whitehouse, also finally blew the gaff on a reactionary element, although they survived to make a successful prosecution of the National Theatre over "Romans in Britain."    A consequential tendency to roll about in the muck with a fresh licence may have damaged Russell's creativity.   This, really, is why I would like to see a range of his work afresh and, hopefully, "Elgar" will encourage this.

Briefly returning to Elgar... !!!

Anyone within shouting distance of Manchester should note two rather special concerts conducted by Mark Elder with the Halle this weekend, both at the Bridgewater Hall:

Sat, 7.30pm Cello Concerto and Symphony No 2

Sun, 6pm The Kingdom

I sat in on the choir rehearsal for The Kingdom this evening and it promises to be a very moving performance.

As you were!

# 36         Alas, I doubt whether the Bridgewater Hall concerts will be recorded for future broadcast, Roslynmuse, as The Halle/Elder have already recorded Elgar 1 & 2 on their own label.       However, I was momentarily tempted to make the journey from York, on Sunday, for "The Kingdom"  - friends at Tameside, are you reading this?

Tony Watson, please let us know how it was for you, in due course.   Yes, yes, yes; do go for it.

I've just been browsing several handsome programmes - 50p each I note - for a series of concerts, within a month: Sir Edward Elgar: A Choral Festival, held mainly at the Royal Albert Hall,with a one-off at RFH, between June & July 1980.  The series, sponsored by The Elgar Foundation and the Croydon Philharmonic Society was to raise funds for Elgar's birthplace.   

"The Apostles", Royal Phil Orch, cond. Donald Hunt with soloists Linda Esther Gray, Anne Collins, Neil Jenkins, and John Tomlinson.

"The Kingdom", RPO/James Gaddarn with soloists Sheila Armstrong, Alfreda Hodgson, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Michael Rippon and Ian Le Grice (organ).

"The Dream of Gerontius", CBSO/Norman Del Mar with Janet Baker, Kenneth Bowen and Michael Rippon.

The price range was 80p, £1 75, £2 75, £3 75, £5 and £5 50 if you were feeling flush.

My head reels when I realise that I did a day's work at Lambeth North from 08.30 (to beat the morning rush hour) return home, adjacent to Holland Park, then have a casual stroll through the Park to Ken High Street, before continuing to Kensington Gore; fully geared for the searing melody of Elgar.  'Twas bliss to be alive then. 

And very fine recordings they are too. I'm a great admirer of the Elgar series by the Hallé under Mark Elder and I just hope that some more of the choral works appear on their own label. I think we're a bit blessed at the moment with the LSO's Elgar series under Sir Colin Davis turning out some wonderful performances too...

Did anyone get the Daily Telegraph today? If so, what's the Elgar CD like?

How about today's Sunday Telegraph. I didn;t get either as I didn't want to buy a pig in poke. My guess was that if the content was any good, they would list it openly.

I got the Sunday Telegraph today. For a free CD (or £1.80 for it if you have no interest in the newspaper) then it's quite acceptable.

The Pomp and Circumstance 4 is laboured, although the timps come over well near the beginning. The orchestra sounds too large for the Chansons de Matin et de Nuit. I think I prefer the violin and piano versions anyway. I haven't listened to In the South yet but the Serenade for Strings is probably the best item on it, even though that sounded lethargic at times.

As for the Ken Russell film, I've said to the effect on another thread that I was worried it was going to tell us more about attitudes in 1962 than Elgar - what with the loss of Empire and so many veterans of both world wars still around - but it wasn't like that at all. It was a very balanced tribute that is still valid today. I too would have liked to see the other actors being credited. Who played Elgar as a boy? What's he doing today?