Continuing the series we began two days ago, I’d like to introduce those who haven’t yet heard it to the music of Flanders and Swann. This great musical comedy duo flourished in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and were a source of constant entertainment to me as I grew up. My father used to sing “The Hippopotamus Song” endlessly as he pottered around the house (to my mother’s frequent irritation, particularly when I picked up on the chorus with him!)
They did many wonderfully funny songs together. Here’s another: Michael Flanders sings Mozart’s Horn Concerto, to piano accompaniment by Donald Swann.
Here’s their “Song Of Patriotic Prejudice”, asserting (with tongue firmly in cheek) the superiority of the English race over the rest of the British Isles. This rare live television footage was recorded on Broadway, New York in 1967, near the end of their performing careers.
They recorded many more songs that are perennial favorites of mine, but not many have made it to YouTube or other freely available sources. If you want to invest in CD’s of their shows, it’s well worth the price!
Peter
Donald Swann was also the composer of the music to the song cycle of JRR Tolkien lyrics, The Road Goes Ever On, which is a very interesting musical insight into The Lord of the Rings although not terribly well-known.
Since the movies came out, most people tend to associate the film soundtracks with LOTR music, but the Swann music was actually done with Professor Tolkien's assistance and he reads some of his Elvish poetry on the original recording. Interesting stuff. I had no idea he was the Hippopotamus Song guy! Thanks for this.
Peter, if you're not familiar with P. D. Q. Bach, look him up too. Hilarious!
Hey Peter thought you might be interested in this
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/rape-impossible-in-marriage-says-muslim-cleric-2106161.html
Owen