Off the Wireless and on the Box
Ken Bruce presents a concert marking the 70th anniversary of the launch of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Light Programme, which split to become Radio 1 and Radio 2 in 1967.
Friday Night is Music Night - On the Wireless and Off the Box - Ken Bruce presents a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Light Programme.
When peace came to Europe in 1945 the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ set about fulfilling a promise to its listeners that within 90 days of VE day they would return the airwaves to near normal and introduce improved services. On the Radio Times cover of 27th July the then Director General - William Haley - announced the roll out of 6 regional Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Services and a brand new venture, The Light Programme.
Haley said "It will be built for the civilian listener. Developing its own special character it will, we hope, be one of the most successful ventures the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has undertaken. It is necessary to stress this idea of development. ....the way must always be open for something better and something new. ... The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ must not cease to innovate. Listeners will be tolerant towards experiment (even though not always successful) for it is only out of ceaseless experiment that still better broadcasting will come. Radio is still a new art"
The Light Programme was launched on 29th July 1945 . The first sound on the network was an arrangement of Oranges and Lemons by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Theatre Orchestra - an ensemble of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ musicians who would later be re-named and re-grouped as the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra . The Light Programme - much loved, much missed, though often derided for being ... well... "light"... but during its 22 years on air its schedules were crammed with talented musicians, writers, actors and comedians. It was here we first Listened with Mother, Journeyed Into Space, took our Pick of the Pops asked Twenty Questions and passed the odd 30 minutes with one Antony Aloysius St John Hancock.
The Light Programme was to last until September 1967 when it split to form the brand new Radios 1 and 2. In our concert tonight Ken Bruce curates us through the Light Programme archives with the help of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Sutherland with guests Roy Hudd, Kitty Whately(mezzo soprano), Simon Butteriss(baritone) and Tim Fitzhigham and Duncan Walsh-Atkins .
The concert was first broadcast in January 2015 as part of the London Southbank's Changing Britain season - looking at British History of the last 70 years.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Next
Music Played
-
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Sutherland
Friday Night Is Music Night Opening Sig Tune
-
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland
In Party Mood
-
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland
ORANGES AND LEMONS
-
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland
The Devil's Gallop
-
Simon Butteriss & the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra Cb. Gavin Sutherland
MY NAME IS JOHN WELLINGTON WELLS (FROM: THE SORCERER)
-
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland & Mike Lloyd
The Acrobat
-
Tim Fitzhigham and Duncan Walsh-Atkins
I'M A GNU
-
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland & Kitty Whately
SHOW ME (MY FAIR LADY)
-
Roderick Elms & The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra Cb. Gavin Sutherland
Themes From Mediterranean Concerto
-
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland
JUMPING BEAN
-
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland
With A Song In My Heart
-
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland
BERCEUSE - DOLLY SUITE
-
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland & Kitty Whately
If I Loved you (From Carousel)
-
Roderick Elms
Minute Waltz
-
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland
ORB AND SCEPTRE
-
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland & Simon Butteriss
Nina (Sigh No More)
-
Duncan Walsh Atkins & TIM FITZHIGHAM
THE HIPPOPOTAMUS SONG
-
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra
Sunday Night At The London Palladium
-
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland
SAY IT WITH MUSIC
-
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland
FNIMN Closing Sig Tune
Credit
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Performer | Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra |
Broadcasts
- Fri 30 Jan 2015 20:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2
- Fri 22 May 2015 20:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2