The Prince and the Composer
2011 BBC Four/Two
Virtually everyone has sung his music, yet very few people know his name. Hubert Parry, the composer of Jerusalem and the tune for the hymn Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, was the driving force behind the revival of English music in the early 20th century, and himself wrote five symphonies. One of his most ardent champions is the Prince of Wales, who here embarks on a journey to discover more about the man and his music.
The Prince and the Composer features specially-filmed performances by the BBC Philharmonic (conductor: Vassily Sinaisky), Hiroaki Takenouchi (piano), The Choir of Westminster Abbey (Organist and Master of the Choristers: James O’Donnell) and Schola Cantorum of Oxford, with the St Endellion Festival Orchestra (conductor: James Burton, and solo violin: Andrew Watkinson). This is a co-production for BBC Four and BBC Two by Crux Productions and Rare Day.
Works by Parry included in the film are: Repton / Hear my words, ye people / Jerusalem / I was glad / Shulbrede Tunes / Songs of Farewell / Lady Radnor Suite / Judith / Hands across the Centuries / Symphonic Fantasia in B minor '1912' (Symphony 5) / Blest Pair of Sirens / Bridal March (The Birds) / Magnificat (1897)
FILM CREDITS
| Photography | Jonathan Partridge and Colin Rogal |
| Sound | Paul Paragon |
| Research | Charlotte Knowles |
| Thanks to | Sir Vernon Ellis |
| Rostrum | Sean Mullins |
| Online Editor | Adam Grant |
| Colourist | Vicky Matich |
| Co-ordinator | Laura McCutcheon |
| Production Manager | Emily Renshaw-Smith |
| Dubbing Mixer | Tom O'Pray |
| Film Editor | Phil Reynolds |
| BBC Commissioning Editor | Adam Barker |
| Executive Producer | Peter Dale |
| Produced and Directed by | John Bridcut |
(1 x 90’)
This film is now available on DVD and can be purchased from this website for £8.99
The film is also available for international broadcast.
The shorter 60-minute version of the film is on BBC i-Player, after its recent repeat on BBC Four a week before the King's coronation on Saturday 6th May.
The 90-minute version is also available on Marquee TV in North America and Australasia. It can also be seen on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/822346524/ddd4596e9c
REVIEWS
'Here was a film that broke just about every rule of documentary making... Yet I was completely smitten by it. Partly this was because the music was so good, and partly because there was something oddly touching about Charles’s fumbling attempts to explain why he admired Parry so much – “he was a complex man with a mind of his own".
'As soon as it was over, I ordered a copy of Parry’s setting of John Donne’s great sonnet, “At the round earth’s imagined corners” – and strongly recommend you do the same.'
'A rich and grand vision of Parry steadily emerged, elbowing aside the worse-than-one-dimensional notion of him as a moustachioed High Tory who wrote jingoistic tub-thumpers like Jerusalem. Indeed, even the latter emerged looking shiny and new thanks to a nimble exegesis by David Owen Norris, which picked open the piece's subtleties and expert craftsmanship.'
'The joy of this programme was the deconstruction of the music by choristers and musicologists, in particular, a simply marvellous chap called David Owen Norris'
'The Prince's enthusiasm is contagious ... a fascinating picture of an almost unknown genius'
By E. M. robinson "film robin" (Somerset, England)
Superb and sensitive documentary. We are given a good insight and understanding of Parry's music and life, with some splendid and uplifting pieces to enjoy – not least of all the voices and comments the choir.
An excellent film on a much overlooked composer. Prince Charles has showcased Parry's work with live performances; a real treat.
COMMENTS ON TWITTER after first transmission
H_G_G: Watching 'The Prince & The Composer' on BBC4 highly intellectual for a Friday night but thoroughly interesting! ♥ Prince Charles.
Yorkiepjm: Now Charles is pushing Parry, can we please have 'Jerusalem' as the new national anthem - pretty please!
sausagemouse: Enjoying HRH Prince Charles' programme on BBC4 on Hubert Parry. Lovely treat!
AliceMerray: Am thoroughly enjoying this prog about Parry with HRH. He's quite right too - I had no idea #Parry had written other stuff - stuff I love!
DAVIDYELLAND: Any friend of Hubert Parry is a friend indeed, so Tiaras off to Prince of Wales for this excellent BBC Four prog on @BBCFOUR /Superb
arwenwhite: BBC4 David Owen Norris' analysis of Parry's "Jerusalem" - perfection :-)
Humble_Scribe: Really interesting programme on BBC4 about Hubert Parry, composer of Jerusalem (and also Dear Lord and Father of Mankind - didn't know that)
Mozart: Hubert Parry is a lovely composer.
muscateer47: long live BBC4 , love the Hubert Parry programme with HRH, as I did the Elgar prog.
Brendan_Surrey: Wonderful BBC4 documentary about Hubert Parry. Licence fee justification night on the BBC.
axj: Well I have to say HRH Prince Charles' programme on Hubert Parry on BBC4 is rather lovely. I've been rather captivated.
ElysianWeddings: "The Prince and the Composer" (BBC4)-90 minutes about Charles Hubert Parry, presented by Prince Charles and featuring my univiersity tutor!
PaulBelford: brilliant film on Parry, highlighting overlooked excellence - and also said much about Charles' mindset... interesting & thought-provoking
AdrianPallant: Another absorbing John Bridcut film on BBC4, this time on CHH Parry, presented by the Prince of Wales. Worth seeing - 90 minutes well spent.
ElysianWeddings: @davemilnes indeed! Impressed by BBC4 giving 90 mins of Friday night primetime over to Parry :)
Rgemini: Just watched Prince Charles' program about Parry and his music. I never realised just what a wonderful and varied composer he was until now.
AuroraEstella: Watched very interesting programme on Hubert Parry on BBC4 presented by Prince Charles. Will have to try listening to more of his music.
asanderson197: Been watching interesting 1½ programme on Parry's music presented rather well by Prince Charles, then one on history of easy listening music
WillyGreyBin: RT @asanderson197: Been watching interesting 1½ programme on Parry's music presented rather well by Prince Charles, then one on history of easy listening music
StephanieFraser: Just caught up with interesting documentary on Sir Hubert #Parry. Tried to persuade the elder 2 children to watch but not their thing. Shame
drama_king10: watching a film about the composer Hubert Parry, utterly sublime music
SamuelLear: Fascinating film about Hubert Parry - grand introduction to his pieces, and enjoyable viewing
michealwalsh: now BBC HD goes to a Music Documentary by the Prince of Wales about Composer Hubert Parry
SoMuch2Answer4: A night of musical contrasts: an hour of dirty guitar from The Kills @ e Methodist Hall & then Prince Charles on Hubert Parry, composer of Jerusalem, on BBC4. The latter was surprisingly moving; HRH came across as rather sweet and sensitive. Damn.
belindawills: Watch at 40mins for the inimitable David Owen Norris's dissection of Parry's 'Jerusalem'
MansfieldNL: Have been on a Parry exploration after last nights brilliant BBC 4 doc #bbc4 #parry
amysmallperson: I am watching the doc about Parry on BBC4. I love it and its making me want to sing I Was Glad.
curlsdiva: Enjoyed Parry TV docu last eve - illuminating. Liked too how Parry descendant not at all awed by Prince of Wales :)
PhilipColbourn: David Owen Norris, http://tiny.cc/t18ff. My favourite music person / national treasure ~ Parry prog. BBC4 last night