BBC Radio 2 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Light Programme.

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The Story of Light Music

The Story of Light Music: Episode 2

Music

Episode 2

BBC Radio 2 - The Story of Light Music, Episode 2

Michael Parkinson concludes the story of light music, celebrating its finest exponents.

Michael Parkinson concludes The Story Of Light Music and introduces some of the genre's most accomplished exponents, starting with its generally-acknowledged leader, Eric Coates.

Sir Michael Parkinson concludes The Story Of Light Music and introduces some of the genre's most accomplished exponents, starting with its generally-acknowledged leader, Eric Coates.

We hear Eric talking about how he composed Calling All Workers, the theme for the long-running Music While You Work programme (from 1941 to 1967). Then, in quick succession, come Charles Williams (The Dream Of Olwen) Richard Addinsell (The Warsaw Concerto), Nino Rota (Legend Of The Glass Mountain) and more.

Michael illustrates how light music from the shelves of the library companies (Chappells, De Wolfe etc) could provide background music for films, radio and TV as well as signature tunes and we're reminded of those for Dick Barton - Special Agent, Housewive's Choice and more. We hear from Ronald Binge, creator of Radio 4's sign off Sailing By, Mantovani's famous Cascading Strings, and also from Mantovani himself. And then, out of the blue, all this is swept away.

Composer Ernest Tomlinson and radio producer Tim McDonald describe how light music was lost, a discussion taken further by Radio 2 presenter Russell Davies and conductor John Wilson. Yet today, as Michael Parkinson sums up, the music has not vanished for good: a new audience is rediscovering light music, which today is revived in concerts and on new and re-issued CD productions.

Amazing music. Played by an amazing line up.

Radio 2: Amazing music. Played by an amazing line-up. The home of great music, entertainment and documentaries

Sir Michael Parkinson introduces the story of light music

Sir Michael Parkinson introduces the first of two programmes telling the story of light music, from its beginnings in the compositions of classical composers to its growth as a form in its own right.

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