Archive for August 25, 2020
BBC plays “Rule, Britannia“ without words
The Proms are only an online festival this year and therefore also the famous “Last Night of the Proms“ will not be staged with an audience to sing along in the Royal Albert Hall. But singing will be avoided completely when it comes to “Rule, Britannia“ and “Land of Hope and Glory“ this year.
In a much discussed decision the BBC has defied the Government by announcing that Rule, Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory would not be sung at this year’s Last Night of the Proms.
Rule Britannia, sung by Jonas Kaufmann (2015)
Video recorded in Hyde Park – Proms in the Park
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden had warned the Corporation not to “erase history” by dropping the songs amid a row over colonialism. But the BBC instead effectively censored them by choosing to play orchestral versions, with no soloist singing the lyrics. With no audience because of coronavirus restrictions, there will be no one to sing along either.
One government source described the decision as “incredible” and Tory MPs accused the broadcaster of failing to understand the context of the songs. Charles Moore argues that Rule Britannia is about freedom, not slavery. And Chief Classical Music Critic Ivan Hewett reveals the surprising stories behind the Last Night bombast.
Well, I’m lost for words…
EXTRA TIME 
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