Tennyson’s wide range of poetry

Press, 31 March 1981, Page 15

Tennyson’s wide range of poetry

Alfred. Lord Tennyson became the Poet Laureate in 1850 and. for many, in part because of patriotic poems such as "The Charge of the Light Brigade.” he is identified with the Victorian age in English poetry. However, Tennyson's output of fine poetry was wide ranging, as the selection in this week's programme in the Radio New Zealand "A Pride of Poets” (Concert. 9.0 tonight) series illustrates. The programme is titled "Tennyson -4 The Philosopher - ’ and the poetry is, embroidered by excerpts, from the music of Benjamin Britten.

Three recordings Music by Cesar Franck. Debussy and Bach is on three recordings considered by British critics to be of outstanding interest and value amongst those issued last year. The Franck is the String Quartet in D recorded by the Fitzwilliam String Quartet: a collection of Debussy songs is from tenor Hugues Cuenod with Martin Isepp. piano. The Bach, a recording by pianist Martha Agerich, is the Toccata in C minor (BWV 911), plus the English Suite No. 2“in A minor (BWV 807). Concert, 9.20 pirn. ________

Books ' Alan Sillitoe. though the author of novels made into films such as "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" and "The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner." is known and respected chiefly as a short-story writer. He has the ability in his stories to suggest a whole life within a few pages. He talks on the 8.8. C. books programme (Concert. 7 p.m.) about his latest collection of stories, "The Second Chance.” Migraine was known to the ancient Greeks as "halfhead.” In more 'recent times it has been described as a

"sick headache." Dr Oliver Sacks shows in his book "Migraine: Evolution of a Common Disorder’’ that there are many other symptoms besides pain and nausea and even more theories as to what causes them. Dr Sacks, who is a professor of neurologv in New York, talks on the programme about both treatment and causes. John Earle went to Patagonia as a climber: then he returned to that part of South America to make a film. Now he recalls both of those expeditions in his book "The Springs, of Enchantment". He tells about the excitements of mountain exploration which enabled him and his companions to over-

come the discomforts, tensions and even boredom of expedition life. 8.8. C. play In this 8.8. C. play, "The Private Secretary.” by Kenneth Sinclair, a retired businessman called Ross has advertised for a private secretary. Philip comes to be interviewed but it seems Ross does not really need a secretary. . . he just wants someone to talk to.

Listening