Programme Index

Discover 11,128,835 listings and 279,741 playable programmes from the BBC

A Discussion between
Mr. Beverley Nichols and Mr. Compton Mackenzie
'There is nothing good to be had in the country, or, if there be, they will not let you have it'
Hazlitt on Wordsworth's 'Excursion'

Anyone who is familiar with Mr. Mackenzie's novels will know how well equipped he is to take up the cudgels on behalf of the countryside in this debate: one need only remind listeners, for instance, of Mr. Grey, in 'Guy and Pauline,' who was so fond of his garden, and of the wide knowledge shown of butterflies in 'Sinister Street.' As for Mr. Nichols' ability to defend the merits of the town against Mr. Mackenzie's onslaughts, one has only to recall his first book, 'Twenty-Five,' to realize that he will not be at any loss. Another thing of which one can be sure is that the sparks will fly when two such doughty opponents cross swords. Nor, we suspect, need either of them be taken too seriously; for, in these days, it is fortunately possible for quite a large percentage of us to enjoy, in this matter, the best of both worlds.

S.B. from Cardiff
National Orchestra of Wales
(Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Cymru)
Conducted by Warwick Braithwaite

Composed among the woodlands of Weber's home in Holstein, his opera Der Freischutz has always been regarded as a masterpiece. The story tells of an evil spirit which, in exchange for a man's soul, will give him magic bullets which are bound to hit their mark, irrespective of the aim. 'The Seventh Bullet' was the name given to the opera on its first performance here in London in July, 1824, two years before Weber died.

The Overture is a fine example of Weber'a romantic music, and the supernatural basis of the tale is vividly suggested in the note of foreboding which makes itself heard as an undercurrent to the main joyous tunes.

2LO London

Appears in

About this data

This data is drawn from the Radio Times magazine between 1923 and 2009. It shows what was scheduled to be broadcast, meaning it was subject to change and may not be accurate. More