Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Off the Wireless and on the Box

Ken Bruce presents a concert marking the 70th anniversary of the launch of the 成人快手 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 成人快手 Light Programme.
When peace came to Europe in 1945 the 成人快手 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 成人快手 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 成人快手 has undertaken. It is necessary to stress this idea of development. ....the way must always be open for something better and something new. ... The 成人快手 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 成人快手 Theatre Orchestra - an ensemble of 成人快手 musicians who would later be re-named and re-grouped as the 成人快手 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 成人快手 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.

1 hour, 57 minutes

Last on

Fri 22 May 2015 20:00

Music Played

  • 成人快手 Concert Orchestra conducted by Gavin Sutherland

    Friday Night Is Music Night Opening Sig Tune

  • 成人快手 Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland

    In Party Mood

  • 成人快手 Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland

    ORANGES AND LEMONS

  • 成人快手 Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland

    The Devil's Gallop

  • Simon Butteriss & the 成人快手 Concert Orchestra Cb. Gavin Sutherland

    MY NAME IS JOHN WELLINGTON WELLS (FROM: THE SORCERER)

  • 成人快手 Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland & Mike Lloyd

    The Acrobat

  • Tim Fitzhigham and Duncan Walsh-Atkins

    I'M A GNU

  • 成人快手 Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland & Kitty Whately

    SHOW ME (MY FAIR LADY)

  • Roderick Elms & The 成人快手 Concert Orchestra Cb. Gavin Sutherland

    Themes From Mediterranean Concerto

  • 成人快手 Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland

    JUMPING BEAN

  • 成人快手 Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland

    With A Song In My Heart

  • 成人快手 Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland

    BERCEUSE - DOLLY SUITE

  • 成人快手 Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland & Kitty Whately

    If I Loved you (From Carousel)

  • Roderick Elms

    Minute Waltz

  • 成人快手 Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland

    ORB AND SCEPTRE

  • 成人快手 Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland & Simon Butteriss

    Nina (Sigh No More)

  • Duncan Walsh Atkins & TIM FITZHIGHAM

    THE HIPPOPOTAMUS SONG

  • 成人快手 Concert Orchestra

    Sunday Night At The London Palladium

  • 成人快手 Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland

    SAY IT WITH MUSIC

  • 成人快手 Concert Orchestra Cb: Gavin Sutherland

    FNIMN Closing Sig Tune

Credit

Role Contributor
Performer 成人快手 Concert Orchestra

Broadcasts

  • Fri 30 Jan 2015 20:00
  • Fri 22 May 2015 20:00