RSS

Contact us

Tuesday 2 December 2008

Great inspirations

Charles Spencer on some unforgettable characters

If Philip Balkwill taught me the value of discrimination, in everything from poetry to malt whisky, Peter taught me to be open-minded in my tastes. He was equally at home reviewing Shakespeare, jazz, ballet, opera, the avant-garde and light entertainment, insisting only that work should be good of its kind. He never allowed cultural snobbery to affect his judgments, and approached everything with an open mind.

It’s thanks to Peter’s example that I’ve had as much fun at ice shows as at the RSC, and that I see absolutely nothing strange about switching from Mozart to the Grateful Dead.

One field of music that now seems to be a particular victim of snobbery is light classical music, as represented by the likes of Eric Coates, Robert Farnon and countless other almost forgotten names. It is still being written, but is rarely played these days, either on the radio or in the concert hall. Sometimes, however, I feel an intense urge to listen to something that is unashamedly melodic, entertaining, undemanding and nostalgic, and this is where light music comes up trumps.

CDs that have been giving me particular pleasure in recent weeks are the British Light Music Premières series on the indispensable Dutton label (of which more in a future column) and Matthew Curtis’s delightful ‘Paths to Urbino’ and other orchestral works available on Campion Cameo. (Amazon can supply all these discs.)

This is music that has no greater desire than to refresh the spirit and to please, and there is nothing ignoble about that — though even as I write those words I can imagine Philip arguing the toss.

Charles Spencer is theatre critic of the Daily Telegraph.

More articles from: Charles Spencer | this section

Print this article  |  Email to a friend  |  Permalink  |   Comment

Post this entry to:   del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit

Advertisement

Spectator Business | Apollo Magazine

Corporate | Advertising | Privacy | Terms

Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP

All Articles and Content Copyright ©2008 by The Spectator | All Rights Reserved