tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post7089253035355839741..comments2024-03-16T10:03:59.180-07:00Comments on The Movie Projector: Ken Russell at the BBC, Part 4: Song of Summer (1968)R. D. Finchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-90290212871115593452011-10-28T17:01:46.116-07:002011-10-28T17:01:46.116-07:00Eve, hope you find this of interest. I'm still...Eve, hope you find this of interest. I'm stilling mulling over "Vertigo" and will get back to you about it soon.R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-81583848966484483272011-10-28T16:24:26.671-07:002011-10-28T16:24:26.671-07:00I'm happy to report that I picked up the BBC b...I'm happy to report that I picked up the BBC boxed set at the library today and am looking forward to sitting down and watching each of Russell's - diverse - biographies. Thanks, R.D., for six deeply interesting reviews...can hardly wait to get started.The Lady Evehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963115499930520653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-65370378421565062942011-10-28T15:14:52.827-07:002011-10-28T15:14:52.827-07:00Sam, I'm so glad you appreciated this post. Th...Sam, I'm so glad you appreciated this post. The last couple of posts on this set haven't gotten nearly the number of page views as the first two, so I guess people are getting tired of hearing about these films. It's a shame because for me they just kept getting more interesting, and the one on Delius was the best of all and, I would say, the most accessible for the general viewer. I saw it years ago on PBS, the only one of these I had seen before I ran across this set (although I had heard about the film on Isadora), and that's why I decided to give it a try. Am I glad I did. <br /><br />After you recommended the "Walk to the Paradise Garden," I looked for it on YouTube and watched a 13-minute long section from the very Peter Weigl film you mention. "Ravishing" is certainly the word to describe it! I'm sure you will recognize far more of the music played in Russell's Delius film than I did and appreciate the way it's used to comment on the action better than I did. But I was able to grasp in a general way how carefully Russell tried to match music to image, and that's certainly an important part of the film's appeal. Now I just hope you find this set as enjoyable as I've made it out to be.R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-73928657808429020142011-10-28T14:38:27.511-07:002011-10-28T14:38:27.511-07:00"The bulk of Delius's compositions were i..."The bulk of Delius's compositions were impressionistic tone poems based on natural scenes and elements—places, seasons, the time of day, for example—and although very different in temperament, the two men have one important thing in common that allows them to forge a working relationship: their ability to hear the music in nature and to use that as the source of their inspiration. When Fenby puts a broadcast of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony on the radio, Delius reacts dismissively: "Beethoven, Bruckner, Mahler and that lot. . . . A complete waste of time. . . . Listen to the music of nature. Forget the immortals. I did long ago."<br /><br />OK, I've heard enough. I can stand it no longer. I am a beaten man. I will be officially ordering this set this evening on amazon, as it's clear now after weeks of some of your finest writing that they essential for classical music lovers, Russell fans, and collectors. Ironically enough I am a huge Delius fan as I mentioned in previous threads and own and adore Peter Weigl's ravishing opera film "A Village Romeo and Juliet," Delius' most famous work in that form. The segment I copied above is a hoot. Delius was so immersed in nature (like Charles Ives and Michael Tillson Thomas and of course the great Finn Jean Sibelius)that he lost his enthusiasm for any form that didn't connect with the elements he found were most vital to the true musical experience. At one point several years ago I went through an obsessive stage with Delius, and ordered minor works, trying to experience the breath of his output. I still don't think he's ever equalled "Village" or it's glorious centerpiece "A Walk to the Paradise Garden," but I find a good deal of his work sublime. I must say I look forward to watching this installment most of all and must again thank you for treating the internet community to this kind of quality writing and exquisite subject.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-47431445097001472552011-10-25T23:12:13.014-07:002011-10-25T23:12:13.014-07:00John, thanks. I sure hope you're able to locat...John, thanks. I sure hope you're able to locate these and have time to watch all six. No matter what one thinks of Russell's later work, these are consistently interesting for their style alone. And for anyone interested in art or artists or the nature of creativity, the subjects are fascinating as well.R. D. Finchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05045080274131718843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6125194422306151768.post-70069514969450945682011-10-25T15:42:54.302-07:002011-10-25T15:42:54.302-07:00R.D. - These have been some fascinating reviews ov...R.D. - These have been some fascinating reviews over the past few weeks. I hope to catch this box set via one of the local libraries if it becomes available. I have always loved film about artists and the creative drive. <br /><br />JohnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com