"UK Theme" - BBC Radio 4 sign-on

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Along with many others of my generation, I adored this medley when awakening in the morning. Regrettably, the BBC pulled it after 28 years, allegedly because they wanted to substitute "a pacier news briefing" - of which more below:
Background
"The BBC Radio 4 UK Theme is an orchestral arrangement of traditional British and Irish airs compiled by Fritz Spiegl and arranged by Manfred Arlan. It was played every morning on BBC Radio 4 between 23 November 1978 and 23 April 2006.
The piece was used as the signature theme to introduce the daily beginning of Radio 4's broadcasting following the early morning handover from the BBC World Service. The theme was immediately followed by the Shipping Forecast.
In 2006, the decision by Mark Damazer (Controller of Radio 4 at the time) to drop the Radio 4 UK Theme to make way for a "pacy news briefing" caused much controversy in the United Kingdom, including extensive discussion in the British media and even in Parliament".
The Music
The Theme is a collection of traditional British and Irish folk tunes representing the four home countries of the United Kingdom and the national maritime tradition.
The piece opens with the first few bars of "Early One Morning" (English, horns and trombones), before the main theme of "Rule, Britannia!" (British, woodwind and strings) is played.
In the second section, the mood changes as "A Londonderry Air" (Northern Irish, cor anglais and harp) combined with "Annie Laurie" (Scottish, violin) are played at a slower tempo.
The faster third section begins with "What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor?" (Royal Navy, piccolo) combined with "Greensleeves" (English, strings), then "Men of Harlech" (Welsh, brass and percussion) combined with "Scotland the Brave" (Scottish, woodwind).
The finale of the piece, after alluding again to "Early One Morning", ends with a full orchestral version of "Rule Britannia" over which a solo trumpet plays the "Trumpet Voluntary".
Courtesy of Wikipedia.
Images
Most are not my own in this case - I just don't have decent pictures taken by me of the whole of the UK. I'll try to credit them, where possible.
Performance
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Paul Murphy
A Naxos Recording

Пікірлер: 153

  • @sammyhawkins5590
    @sammyhawkins55906 жыл бұрын

    This needs to be reinstated, a shocking decision to drop this wonderful music. Regardless of politics or any other nonsense, some things need to be kept.

  • @charlottefoxell7599

    @charlottefoxell7599

    5 жыл бұрын

    Many NHS workers getting up at 5am still miss this.

  • @susannaclymo6065

    @susannaclymo6065

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@charlottefoxell7599 I complained at the time as did many of us, but BBC ignored us. I loved it.

  • @sillygoose635

    @sillygoose635

    3 жыл бұрын

    sorry, but that's how things work.

  • @philipwilliams5429
    @philipwilliams54294 жыл бұрын

    I'm an American who had the good fortune to be a guest of the UK for three years, back in the 90s. I loved waking up to this beautiful, evocative piece. I sorely lament its passing.

  • @jonathanbrook2714
    @jonathanbrook27145 жыл бұрын

    When this was played each morning this music made you feel " at home" wherever you were. I had a good friend who lived opposite and we knew all was well because our lights came on after the theme ended. We always thought of each other by this and by " sailing by" at night . They are both gone how things change!

  • @James.E.Newman.1966

    @James.E.Newman.1966

    4 жыл бұрын

    Sailing By still gets played each night and so does the National Anthem just before 1am.

  • @Rexowogamer

    @Rexowogamer

    4 жыл бұрын

    Jonathan Brook When you say you friend is gone, do you mean he moved or did something bad happen?

  • @jenniferh6813

    @jenniferh6813

    3 жыл бұрын

    Pending a reply by Jonathan himself.... I think he meant that both this work and the wonderful "Sailing By" have gone from Radio 4. :-(

  • @rachelpinder3827
    @rachelpinder38274 жыл бұрын

    Wish R4 would bring this back. Needed now more than ever. Forget the politics, it's just a lovely, heartening piece.

  • @davidpendlebury318
    @davidpendlebury31811 ай бұрын

    What a fabulous way to end a long night watch or start the first. Happy memories of twisting an old radio dial with cold wet hands trying to find this at 04:46 just before the first shipping forecast of the day.

  • @ericjouguelet2864
    @ericjouguelet28643 жыл бұрын

    Dommage que ce fût supprimé. Je me levais adolescent le matin à Strasbourg avec cette musique qui traversait, par les ondes hertziennes, la Manche, le Bassin Parisien et les Vosges. 🇫🇷❤️🇬🇧

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    3 жыл бұрын

    Un joli compte rendu. Je vous remercie!

  • @mikeredenius425
    @mikeredenius4253 жыл бұрын

    This is the first time I’ve re-heard this in years since returning to the States after several years living in the UK. Fortunately I can still listen to “Sailing By” on BBC Sounds.

  • @margaretbuckman3549

    @margaretbuckman3549

    2 жыл бұрын

    Some young upstart will soon decide Sailing By has been on too long and needs to be removed.

  • @evertonporter7887

    @evertonporter7887

    4 ай бұрын

    I find Sailing By to be very relaxing after a hard evening's shift.

  • @ananda852003
    @ananda8520033 жыл бұрын

    Prayers have been 'half' answered, Penny Mordaunt has sent a letter to BBC boss Tim Davie to bring this tune back to our air.

  • @margaretbuckman3549

    @margaretbuckman3549

    2 жыл бұрын

    WASTE OF TIME. UNLESS IT FITS IN WITH BBC MINDSET THEY IGNORE

  • @wiliammound7942

    @wiliammound7942

    Жыл бұрын

    Has a really from the BBC arrived yet? A year seems an acceptable time in which to answer .

  • @paultoner6318
    @paultoner63183 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for keeping this!!! I’ve been searching for it not knowing its name and then somehow found your precious recording. 🙌🙌🙌

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    3 жыл бұрын

    My pleasure Paul.

  • @GeoNeilUK
    @GeoNeilUK3 жыл бұрын

    This is an aggressively British tune that, to be honest, as a Brit, we need to hear more of.

  • @sallycarlsson3710
    @sallycarlsson37102 жыл бұрын

    Dear Mr.AntPDC, Nostalgia is a very good thing. I live in San Francisco presently and still listen to Radio4 but remember fondly "UK Theme". Many thanks.

  • @garymcalea3815
    @garymcalea38152 жыл бұрын

    Used to listen to this as we checked the time for synchronisation of watches / clocks when serving overseas, we could just about get it in Northern Italy. If we couldn't get this it was over to the World Service

  • @dogsbody49
    @dogsbody492 жыл бұрын

    It needs bringing back.

  • @MrCrabbing
    @MrCrabbing3 жыл бұрын

    And now its time for the shipping forecast issued by the meteorological office at 05:55 Thursday the 21 st May 1987, bring it back memories of another day at sea, fantastic

  • @WilliamDavidKirbyUK
    @WilliamDavidKirbyUK5 ай бұрын

    Yes please, play this before the 5:15 shipping forecast - it will help me to wake up! And I love it!

  • @StarWarsJay
    @StarWarsJay3 жыл бұрын

    I remember this! I’m going to make this my alarm ring tone.

  • @James.E.Newman.1966
    @James.E.Newman.19664 жыл бұрын

    It was the same with ITV regions before we had 24 hour TV.. Each region had its own start-up tune eg Southern played Southern Rhapsody, Anglia played its own tune each morning - think it was Sea Songs followed by a longer version of its Knight on horseback logo, showing it close up whilst it was spinning round.

  • @jfor1120

    @jfor1120

    3 жыл бұрын

    presumably Hereward the Wake

  • @StarWarsJay

    @StarWarsJay

    3 жыл бұрын

    I remember that. Did the horse and knight wobble a bit, or the turntable it was on juddered a bit halfway round?

  • @philt4346

    @philt4346

    Жыл бұрын

    Tyne-Tees region here, we had 'Bobby Shaftoe' orchestral arrangement, as a medley with 'The Blaydon Races', bracing stuff.

  • @evertonporter7887

    @evertonporter7887

    4 ай бұрын

    We had the ATV trumpet fanfare here in the Midlands.

  • @jateratanachina
    @jateratanachina6 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful! Thanks for sharing this memorable pieces of music.

  • @evanofelipe
    @evanofelipe7 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Antony, This has brought back distant memories of my early drives to work in my Austin Healey Sprite during mid 60's, your images are truly stunning and really add to the musical themes. Back then I recall also hearing, as part of the intro, Handel's Water Music woven into the Hornpipe and of course, followed by the maritime Shipping weather forecast at 0555hrs......Pip...Pip...Pip... Big Ben...dong..!

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    7 жыл бұрын

    Fun memories :)

  • @evanofelipe

    @evanofelipe

    7 жыл бұрын

    Early starts and misty mornings......and certainly not so much traffic, hardly anything at that time of day..!

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    7 жыл бұрын

    Utter beauty!

  • @rogeralsop3479
    @rogeralsop3479 Жыл бұрын

    Marvellous!

  • @honeythunder1
    @honeythunder17 жыл бұрын

    I have really missed this. I suppose it's considered completely anachronistic by the same critics who abhor the Last Night of the Proms, instead of appreciating a musical celebration of our identity..

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    7 жыл бұрын

    That is not a very "inclusive" statement Jane; shame indeed. And for that matter, the Last Night of the Proms' bellicose spectacle is next on our list of the unacceptably non-inclusive. Going forward, we are arranging a number of compulsory, publicly-funded programmes, with the goal of re-educating those who harbour any kind of patriotism. Internet entities consonant with our position have agreed to share with us the data necessary to help better to identify the offenders, going forward... ;)

  • @honeythunder1

    @honeythunder1

    6 жыл бұрын

    I blame you, Antony, I haven't been the same since listening to the Welcoming Land!

  • @nottmjas

    @nottmjas

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@AntPDC you thought that you were writing in jest but fast forward three years to the Proms of 2020....

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@nottmjas No kidding.

  • @jonmelon9792
    @jonmelon97923 жыл бұрын

    I've listened to this a few times since I heard on R4 news this morning that the old tune may be making a comeback, and, if so, it will be a fitting symbol to send the message that the beeb wants to leave behind, and to move on from the present, stinking era of Savile, Stuart Hall, Bashir, The Hairy Cornflake, etc, etc.. SO, EVERYBODY, SHOUT; 'hip, hip, HOORAY..!'

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    3 жыл бұрын

    No kidding jon!

  • @atffan
    @atffan3 жыл бұрын

    Like so much that made the bbc great - it has to be removed by the despoilers, those who care not for tradition and heritage

  • @RogerDDog

    @RogerDDog

    2 жыл бұрын

    There probably wasn't enough Reggae in it!

  • @m52spy
    @m52spy3 жыл бұрын

    Imagine listening to this every morning! Fire up the Spitfire!

  • @jamesbparkin740

    @jamesbparkin740

    2 жыл бұрын

    Oh I used to.

  • @RogerDDog
    @RogerDDog5 жыл бұрын

    I still miss this!

  • @chancerybunch4757
    @chancerybunch47574 жыл бұрын

    after listening to close approximations I believe this to be the one albeit youtube paced a little slow!! thanks and now to find "as ships go sailing by"

  • @stevendouglascarr5517
    @stevendouglascarr55176 жыл бұрын

    What a way to start the day. You've got both the English and Irish here. Does my heart good...

  • @helenwatts8856

    @helenwatts8856

    6 жыл бұрын

    ... and the Welsh and Scots ... why miss them out?

  • @jamesgale2147
    @jamesgale21478 ай бұрын

    That's why I long ago dispensed with radio 4

  • @TheMemer397
    @TheMemer397 Жыл бұрын

    0:46 The moment everyone was watching for.

  • @jeanparke9373
    @jeanparke93737 жыл бұрын

    This is so cute! I love British music so much.

  • @keithmoreton2302
    @keithmoreton23024 жыл бұрын

    Like many other commentators, I really enjoy this medley of traditional, sentimental and really robust British tunes. The BBC’s excuse for ending it was pathetic; it’s a pity that the many questions in parliament at the time, re the abandonment of this great medley we’re not listened to by the BBC, but when did the BBC ever listen!?

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    4 жыл бұрын

    Something tells me the BBC are now in the mood to listen very closely. That something is Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

  • @WilliamDavidKirbyUK
    @WilliamDavidKirbyUK5 ай бұрын

    Bring it ALL back ! Yes all of it! I'm not being patriotic I just think it is part of BBC and British life ! Will someone just get their backbone plugged back in and recognise this is what we need? Plese BBC or whoever claims to be in charge?

  • @marc9644
    @marc96447 жыл бұрын

    Delightful. So sad when the beautiful and familiar is replaced by something you don't enjoy. For decades NPR - National Public Radio in America- played interludes of the finest C20 music in between news stories. Now replaced by monotonous pop rhythms to appeal to a broader audience I suppose.

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    7 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Marc. NPR was my radio saviour and comfort during the many years I lived in the US. It is a major cultural asset to the US, and thank goodness for it. I understand forces are abroad which threaten its existence.

  • @user-jn1tr8mo3g
    @user-jn1tr8mo3g Жыл бұрын

    I remember waking up to this music, what joy. Now we get some black "poet" wrapping away with some nonsense.

  • @rogergrant4706
    @rogergrant47063 жыл бұрын

    Bring it back if you don't like it don't listen.

  • @ChaunceyPendicott

    @ChaunceyPendicott

    Жыл бұрын

    Or don't bother, and if you like it listen to it in your own time.

  • @pabmusic1
    @pabmusic16 жыл бұрын

    Lovely! It's actually by Fritz Spiegl, orchestrated by Manfred Arlan, and played by the BBC Northern (BBC Philharmonic as it now is) - if it's the original, that is.

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    6 жыл бұрын

    pabmusic1 Please see my Description.

  • @pabmusic1

    @pabmusic1

    6 жыл бұрын

    Fair enough. It's just that a friend is playing on this recording and it "set me off" on nostalgia.

  • @user-qd9rh5yr8m
    @user-qd9rh5yr8m Жыл бұрын

    proper radio

  • @andrewclarkehomeimprovement
    @andrewclarkehomeimprovement Жыл бұрын

    So, the 'pacy news briefing', has it added anything to the station?, do we get value from it?, Do we learn anything that we won't hear another 30 times during the day? Mr Damazer, no, it doesn't, a quick summary of the news, brief weather, what happened in years gone by. I'm not exactly gripping the piping on the edge of my bed. The UK theme was the starting pistol for the day, stirring stuff that gets you out of bed.

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    Жыл бұрын

    Dead true Andrew, thank you. One day, reason will return.

  • @stevetivey3786
    @stevetivey37863 жыл бұрын

    Not really..Mr R..but I'm giving you the chance to reconsider your wall-eyed view of the classic melange of British favourites you seem to despise. 200 years of musical heritage would disappear overnight if you had your way.

  • @johnashp
    @johnashp3 жыл бұрын

    I believe this is not the broadcast version, which I have recorded from Radio 4, but one that was recorded for public release.

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes, you are right John. Regardless, I want to wake up to this again!

  • @cavramau

    @cavramau

    2 жыл бұрын

    We all can. Use it as an alarm.

  • @philt4346

    @philt4346

    Жыл бұрын

    Be a mensch why don't you upload it here? I miss the nuanced original and can't find a release on Discogs :)

  • @johnashp

    @johnashp

    Жыл бұрын

    Provided KZread don't remove it, I have now uploaded the original version here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aIKio5uJfMa6Yto.html

  • @johnashp

    @johnashp

    Жыл бұрын

    @@philt4346 Provided KZread don't remove it, I have now uploaded the original version here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aIKio5uJfMa6Yto.html

  • @davidlawton5198
    @davidlawton51984 жыл бұрын

    This is great but can anyone come up with the late night shipping forecast jingle? It lifted the hearts of many at sea facing wind and rain.

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    4 жыл бұрын

    At your service, as the dwarves of Tolkien's world often declared: kzread.info/dash/bejne/fWlpzJKJdZCqadY.html

  • @stevetivey3786
    @stevetivey37863 жыл бұрын

    Andy R would probably like a version of Stop your tickling Jock on a Jew's Harp

  • @Spodlet
    @Spodlet4 жыл бұрын

    Am I going mad, or does this version have an extra little few second melody at around 3:15 ?

  • @maxblinkhorn
    @maxblinkhorn5 жыл бұрын

    Hey, nice!

  • @marc9644
    @marc96446 жыл бұрын

    What is that theme at 3:11 ? A familiar melody, but don't know what it is. Is it part of what began at 2:56 ? Looking at your notes it must be "Men of Harlech".

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    6 жыл бұрын

    +Marc Scotland the Brave.

  • @marc9644

    @marc9644

    6 жыл бұрын

    ok, I hear it now: 2:56, Men of Harlech ; 3:11, Scotland the Brave (woodwind). Thanks.

  • @aleksdegromoboy7482
    @aleksdegromoboy74824 жыл бұрын

    Sadly not the original version. It sounds diferent and is 5:26 long. Original was exactly 5 mins and recorded by BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra is I remember correctly. This is I think the more recent version which BBC Symphony Orchestra recorded for a CD release - but was never actually broadcast.

  • @johnashp

    @johnashp

    Жыл бұрын

    Provided KZread don't remove it, I have now uploaded the original version here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aIKio5uJfMa6Yto.html

  • @stevetivey3786
    @stevetivey37863 жыл бұрын

    Mr Complainer..Andy R is obviously miffed the proportion of Scottish tunes is not in accordance with the Barnett formula..why not throw in an eightsome reel or Jacobean lament? That should keep him happy!!

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    3 жыл бұрын

    Chuckle...

  • @christinezaher7144
    @christinezaher71443 жыл бұрын

    I am so very proud to be a Brit and am saddened beyond words at the new Woke and cancel-culture climate that appears to be seeking to undermine what the vast majority of this wonderful United Kingdom respects and loves. Yes, let's bring this theme back and return to a balance which realistically and accurately reflects the majority and the minority of this, our nation.

  • @hess6wi

    @hess6wi

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's been off air for 15 years. "Woke" and "Cancel culture" are somewhat anachronistic to this decision. My main problem with this is that it's not very good. It's a hotch-potch meddly - the sort of thing played by a school orchestra.

  • @hess6wi

    @hess6wi

    3 жыл бұрын

    ​@@davidwolff4853 Here's my earlier comment rewritten with spelling bad enough for it to be comparable to the quality of the UK theme: Itz bin ov are 4 fivftene yeers. "Wowke" end "Cancal culchure" our sumwhat anakronitistic too this decizion. Mi mane problem wiv thiz iz itz knot verry gud. Itz a hotche-potche medley - ve sawt ov fing plaid bye a skool orkestra. Fuck the spelling police.

  • @hess6wi

    @hess6wi

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@davidwolff4853 Anachronistic means of a time other than that being portrayed. It does not imply any direction of time. Or to put it another way you have got it wit about dim. Consult a dictionary of you don't believe me.

  • @gramule

    @gramule

    Жыл бұрын

    not sure what point you are trying to make, yet falling at the first hurdle. please define for us 'woke' and 'cancel culture'. no? thought not. meaningless, thoughtless platitudes. hope that this helps🤣🤣🤣

  • @johnashp
    @johnashp Жыл бұрын

    Provided KZread don't remove it, I have now uploaded the original version, as played at the start of Radio 4 each morning, here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aIKio5uJfMa6Yto.html

  • @wrcsuk

    @wrcsuk

    Жыл бұрын

    Superb! Thanks for that.

  • @sterlingtimes
    @sterlingtimes Жыл бұрын

    GB News ought to have taken this on for the morning programme opening in preference to the National Anthem.

  • @wrcsuk

    @wrcsuk

    Жыл бұрын

    Don't be ridiculous. This is far too inclusive (ie "leftie") for GB News.

  • @spacemanski
    @spacemanski9 күн бұрын

    An act of vandalism

  • @philt4346
    @philt4346 Жыл бұрын

    This sounds like the not-half-bad Philharmonic bash at it, bit syrupy/twee for me. I've searched in vain for any BBC Records release of the original, more stirring rendition presumably by in-house artists; it's a yearning.

  • @ChaunceyPendicott
    @ChaunceyPendicott Жыл бұрын

    This is pretty bad - perhaps the UK could adopt the theme tune from the TV show The Munsters instead, that's a legitimate banger

  • @wiliammound7942

    @wiliammound7942

    Жыл бұрын

    Chauncey you are a prat!

  • @ChaunceyPendicott

    @ChaunceyPendicott

    Жыл бұрын

    @@wiliammound7942 and you failed to capitalise your surname

  • @johnscullion3656
    @johnscullion365627 күн бұрын

    Reinstate this.

  • @cageordie
    @cageordie5 жыл бұрын

    Too British for multicultural Britain >:-(

  • @philipwilliams5429

    @philipwilliams5429

    4 жыл бұрын

    Sadly, I agree; i think that's the real reason it was pulled.

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@philipwilliams5429 Agreed. According to the BBC, we should now be ashamed of our cultural heritage, notwithstanding the fact that they coercively tax the British people.

  • @PriddhasPengu

    @PriddhasPengu

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@AntPDC At least the BBC didn't remove God Save the Queen from Radio 4's airwaves, otherwise that'd be simply maddening!

  • @AntPDC

    @AntPDC

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@PriddhasPengu I wouldn't put it past them, the way they are behaving these days. One could almost say that they hate Britain itself.

  • @paultoner6318

    @paultoner6318

    3 жыл бұрын

    They shouldn’t have deleted it, but added to it to celebrate our increasing diversity... our strength, not our weakness!

  • @andyr4941
    @andyr49413 жыл бұрын

    Thank God they got rid of this. It's such a depressing durge to wake up to. It's just weirdly anachronistic to anyone born after about 1970. Just like the bloody last night of the proms. I don't trust anyone who is passionately supportive about the last night of the proms.

  • @nottmjas

    @nottmjas

    3 жыл бұрын

    Nice try Troll

  • @andyr4941

    @andyr4941

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@nottmjas I'm not trolling; I genuinely and passionately believe this. People are allowed to have different views you know.

  • @StarWarsJay

    @StarWarsJay

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@andyr4941 I don’t agree with you as my grandfather loved the last night at the proms and he was a very kind man. However, you are correct. You are entitled to your opinion.

  • @stevetivey3786

    @stevetivey3786

    3 жыл бұрын

    Who is this Andy Guy? He would probably like some sitar music or LA rap to get him into the mood first thing in the morning. A great blend of UK favourites to get the UNITED Kingdom working together.

  • @stevetivey3786

    @stevetivey3786

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ps..it's dirge.