BBC Four

Swan Lake

21/01/2007

BBC One - Swan Lake

Extended highlights of Swan Lake by the Kirov Ballet in St Petersburg.

Darcey Bussell presents highlights from the production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake by the Kirov Ballet at the Maryinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, conducted by Valery Gergiev.

Darcey Bussell presents extended highlights from the classic production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake by the Kirov Ballet at the Maryinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, conducted by Valery Gergiev. At the heart of this spectacular performance is the prima ballerina, Ulyana Lopatkina, in the demanding dual role of Odette, the white swan, and Odile, her black swan rival.

BBC One

Darcey Bussell presents a version of the ballet based on the production by the Kirov Ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg, conducted by Russian maestro Valery Gergiev. Ulyana Lopatkina takes the dual role of Odette and Odile.

Legends

A look at some true legends from the world of music.

Legends: Val Doonican Rocks

08/04/2007

Val Doonican Rocks

BBC Four - Legends, Val Doonican Rocks

Pauline McLynn narrates an affectionate portrait of Irish entertainer Val Doonican.

An affectionate portrait of popular Irish entertainer Val Doonican, as famous for his props such as cardigans and rocking chair as for his easy-listening style.

Pauline McLynn narrates an affectionate portrait of popular Irish entertainer Val Doonican, as famous for his props such as cardigans and rocking chair as for his easy-listening style. From 1964-1986 he led the BBC1 ratings, his particular brand of laid-back entertainment surviving the revolutionary 60s, IRA campaigns and a variety of changing musical styles. His hits included Walk Tall and The Special Years as well as a number of comic 'Oirish' songs. At the age of 80, Val still performs but the sweaters and his faithful rocking chair are nowhere to be seen. Includes interviews with Rolf Harris, John Williams, Gerry Anderson and Gloria Hunniford.

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Val Doonlcan Rocks

New. In the first of two programmes celebrating the Irish light-entertainment star, this profile traces the singer's rise to the top. Featuring interviews with Rolf Harris , John Williams , Gerry Anderson , Gloria Hunniford and the 80-year-old entertainer himself.

Your Date With Val

BBC Four - Your Date With Val

Val Doonican stars in a special 1976 Christmas edition of his music show.

Val Doonican stars in a special 1976 Christmas edition of his music show with guests Nana Mouskouri, James Galway, Tony Blackburn, Pete Murray, Terry Wogan and Janet Brown.

Val Doonican stars in a special 1976 Christmas edition of his music show with guests Nana Mouskouri, James Galway, Tony Blackburn, Pete Murray, Terry Wogan, Janet Brown, Arthur Askey, Henry Cooper, Cliff Michelmore and the Eddie Lester Singers.

Your Date with Val

Christmas edition of The Val Doonican Show from 1976, with guests including 
Henry Cooper and James Galway.

Story of Light Entertainment

Story of Light Entertainment: Episode 5: Pop and Easy Listening

Episode 5

Episode 5: Pop and Easy Listening

Pop and Easy Listening

BBC Two - Story of Light Entertainment, Pop and Easy Listening

The history of music on television, from 60s easy listening to the X Factor.

Series tracing the roots of light entertainment. This edition looks at the history of music on television - from 60s easy listening to today's X Factor.

Music had always been at the heart of variety, encompassing everything from operetta and balladeers to big bands and crooners, but in the 1950s rock 'n' roll and pop arrived on the scene, the concept of the teenager was born and things became more divided. Television didn't really know how to cope with pop - so the viewer in the 60s was fed a diet of Val Doonican and Engelbert Humperdinck, and Top of the Pops was predicted to be a flash in the pan.  

During the 70s bona fide pop stars such as Cilla and Cliff hosted their own Saturday night shows until punk reared its head and split the scene once again. The 80s and 90s saw pop in the clutches of the young and cool, and families didn't gather round to watch shows like The Tube and The White Room, but a new century saw the situation change yet again.

Now, after years in the wilderness, pop has made a triumphant return to Saturday night TV screens. Popstars, Pop Idol and X Factor are light entertainment's success stories. This is the story of pop music's journey back to the heart of light entertainment. 
    
Including interviews with Cliff Richard, Cilla Black, Nana Mouskouri, Englebert Humperdinck, Simon Cowell, Pete Waterman, Nigel Lythgoe, Marty Wilde and The Vernons Girls.

BBC Two

BBC Two is a TV channel that started broadcasting on the 20th April 1964.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

Series on the history of light entertainment, narrated by Stephen Fry.

The Story of Light Entertainment

5/8. Stephen Fry presents a potted history of popular music on TV, exploring why music shows are making a comeback.

as 9.15pm

Tchaikovsky Masterclass

Exploring the composer's three ballet masterpieces

Exploring the composer's three ballet masterpieces: Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker

Tchaikovsky Masterclass: Swan Lake

BBC Four - Tchaikovsky Masterclass, Swan Lake

Young Royal Ballet soloists are coached in a Swan Lake master class.

Sir Anthony Dowell and Dame Antoinette Sibley take Royal Ballet soloists Rupert Pennefather and Lauren Cuthbertson through their paces in a Swan Lake master class.

The famous ballet partnership of Sir Anthony Dowell and Dame Antoinette Sibley take young Royal Ballet soloists Rupert Pennefather and Lauren Cuthbertson through their paces in a Swan Lake master class. They coach the two in the lyrical pas de deux in Act Two.

Tchaikovsky - Masterclasses with the Royal Ballet

Discovering Tchaikovsky

Charles Hazlewood explores the works of Tchaikovsky

Discovering Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet

27/01/2007

Romeo and Juliet

BBC Four - Discovering Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliet

Unpicking the musical mechanics of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece Romeo and Juliet.

Conductor Charles Hazlewood unpicks the musical mechanics of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece Romeo and Juliet to reveal the inner workings of music's favourite love story.

Conductor Charles Hazlewood unpicks the musical mechanics of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece Romeo and Juliet to reveal the inner workings of music's favourite love story. Includes a full performance by the BBC Philharmonic in Blackpool's Empress Ballroom.

Double bill. Romeo and Juliet and Pathétique

Discovering Tchaikovsky: Pathetique Symphony

03/02/2007

Pathetique Symphony

BBC Four - Discovering Tchaikovsky, Pathetique Symphony

Charles Hazlewood explores Tchaikovsky's swansong, the towering 'Pathetique' Symphony.

Charles Hazlewood explores Tchaikovsky's swansong, the towering 'Pathetique' Symphony. Featuring the BBC Philharmonic in Blackpool's Empress Ballroom.

Charles Hazlewood explores Tchaikovsky's swansong, the towering 'Pathetique' Symphony. Featuring the BBC Philharmonic in the stunning setting of Blackpool's Empress Ballroom.

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