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Grandparents

Mark Tully, a grandfather himself, presents a programme celebrating the very particular relationship grandparents have with their grandchildren and their role within the family.

In a celebration of what it means to be a grandparent, Mark Tully examines the very particular relationship that exists between grandparent and grandchild.

This is obviously a two-way street, so this is a programme full of music and readings that explore the bridge between the generations from all points of view.

Here are evil grandmothers according to Rachmaninoff and inspiring ones from New York journalist Adriana Trigiani; we meet Victor Hugo, the doting grandfather, and Seamus Heaney, the devoted grandson; and musician Josef Suk plays the work of his revered grandfather.

The readers are Emily Raymond and Jasper Britton.

Producer: Frank Stirling
A Unique production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

28 minutes

Last on

Sun 13 Jun 2021 23:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Edvard Grieg

    Grandmother's Minuet

    Performer: Mikhail Pletnev.
    • Lyric Pieces, Sonata, 7 Fugues.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • A good Old Man by John Earle

    John Earle, Bishop of Salisbury, described his ideal of Β‘a good old manΒ’.

  • Sergey Rachmaninov

    Etudes-Tableaux, for piano, Op. 39: No 6 in A minor

    Performer: Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. Performer: Leif Ove Andsnes (Piano). Performer: Paavo Berglund (conductor).
    • Rachmaninov Β– Piano Concerto No.3 Β– 5 Etudes-tableaux.
    • Virgin Classics.

  • Little Red Riding Hood by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

    It is suggested that the wolf in this traditional tale represents an angry grandmother.

  • Spoilt Children/How to be a Grandfather by Victor Hugo

    The writer describes being afraid of losing his grandchildrenΒ’s affection.

  • Bill Withers

    Grandma's Hands

    • Bill WithersΒ’ Greatest Hits.
    • CBS.

  • Max and the Meaning of Life by Bernard Kops

    The authorΒ’s grandson allowed him to believe Β‘there is more than earthΒ’.

  • Gentle Shift South

    Jason Moran

    • Modernistic.
    • Blue Note.

  • Rita Matlock Gruenberg by Edgar Lee Maters

    A poem about a middle aged woman remembering her protective grandmother.

  • Johnny Cash

    My Grandfather's Clock

    • The Fabulous Johnny Cash/Songs of Our Soil.
    • Sony Music Distribution.

  • Digging by Seamus Heaney

    Heaney explains how the hard work of his father and grandfather inspired him.

  • The Wisdom of My Grandmothers by Adriana Trigiani

    An explanation of the examples that can be set by grandparents.

  • Josef Suk

    Elegy For Piano, Violin and Violoncello

    Performer: Sukovo trio.
    • Dvorak Trio No.4 in E Minor, Dumky, Suk Trio.
    • Supraphon.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 14 Sep 2014 06:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 14 Sep 2014 23:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 13 Jun 2021 06:05
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Sun 13 Jun 2021 23:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4