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Irma Kurtz reflects that the garments we wear are a costume of choice, offering clues as to who we are, who we wish we were and how we want to be seen.

In 'To Fashion' Irma Kurtz explores the notion that the garments we wear are a costume of choice. Once beyond the nursery, modesty orders us to cloak our skins, and sometimes our heads and faces too. To wear strategic covering in public is required practically everywhere by law as well as modesty. But we dress for more reasons than modesty and protection. The garments we choose are our costume, and sometimes a uniform, too. What we wear displays if not precisely where we originate and who we are, certainly who we wish we were and want to be seen as being.

To illustrate this theme we hear readings from Robert Herrick, Sebastian Horsley and P.G. Wodehouse. The music is by Sergei Prokoviev, Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin and Paul Durand. The readers are Liza Sadovy, Col Farrell and Frank Stirling.

Producer: Ronni Davis
A Unique Production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4.

30 minutes

Last on

Sun 29 Apr 2012 23:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Everything Is Music

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Music Played

  • Trad.

    Adam Lay Ybounden

    Performer: The London Oratory School Schola, London Oratory Brass, Lee Ward and John McGreal, directed by Michael McCarthy

    • Songs of a Shepherd.
    • Herald.
    • HAVPCD269.

  • Carey Blyton, lyrics by Robert Herrick

    A Sweet Disorder In Her Dress

    Performer: Ian Partridge, The Britten Sinfonia directed by Nicholas Cleobury

    • Lyrics from the Chinese.
    • Upbeat Classics.
    • URCD179.

  • Sergey Prokofiev

    Act One, Scene 2, Preparations for the Ball

    Performer: Berlin Philharmonic directed by Esa-Pekka Salonen

    • Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet Highlights.
    • Sony Music Classical.
    • 88697529912.

  • Tommy Tucker

    Hi Heel Sneakers

    Performer: Tommy Tucker

    • , Hi Heel Sneakers – the Best of Tommy Tucker.
    • Master Classics.
    • B004QQUBW6.

  • George & Ira Gershwin - Think Pink

    Performer: Kay Thompson

  • Hulbert / Brown Woods

    My Hat's on the side of my head

    Performer: Al Bowlly with Ray Noble and his Orchestra

    • Al Bowlly with Ray Noble and his Orchestra.
    • Castle Music.
    • PDS CD 557.

  • H. Contet and P. Durand

    Mademoiselle de Paris

    Performer: Jacqueline Francois and Paul Durand

    • Mademoiselle de Paris.
    • Columbia.
    • CL 570.

  • Irving Berlin

    Top Hat, White tie and tails

    Performer: Fred Astaire

    • The Original Soundtrack of Top Hat.
    • Polygram Records.
    • 314 531 231-2.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 29 Apr 2012 06:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 29 Apr 2012 23:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4