Short Stories: 200 Years of the Royal Academy of Music

From the bees on the roof to one of the finest violins in the world, the Academy is full of surprising treasures. In this episode, Anna Picard introduces people and parts of the building that listeners might not know about, and discovers what goes on behind the scenes to ensure that the Academy’s remarkable collection of instruments will be played by generations to come. Including singing from an original Elizabethan part book, an introduction to Oliver Knussen’s beloved collection of owls, and violinist James Ehnes playing a priceless Stradivarius, the stories behind these objects unlock the history of the Academy. Presenter: Anna PicardProducer: Natalie Steed Contributors: Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Ian Brearey, Kathryn Adamson, Patrick Russill, Barbara Meyer, IJmkje van der Werfe, James Ehnes, Sheldon Gabriel, Philip Cashian Executive Producers, Royal Academy of Music: George Chambers, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Safi Schlicht Featured music: JS Bach Adagio from Sonata in G minor, BWV 1001, performed by James EhnesBeethoven Symphony No 8 in F, Op 93, performed by the Academy Chamber Orchestra with Lorenza BorraniMendelssohn A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed by the Academy Symphony Orchestra with Andrew GourlayTallis O Nata Lux performed by Academy students Isla MacEwan, Anita Monserrat, Samuel Kibble, Henry Ross, Charles CunliffeJS Bach Largo from Sonata in C, BWV 1005, performed by James EhnesStravinsky Marche triomphale du diable from L’histoire du soldat performed by the Academy Manson Ensemble with Oliver Knussen

In the early part of the 20th century, Harriet Cohen, an Academy alumna, was a household name. Superficially known for her beauty and glamour, she wielded influence with some of the most important literary, political and cultural figures of her time – and she was a remarkable pianist. In this episode, Anna Picard explores Harriet’s life and legacy, placing her alongside her pianist contemporaries Myra Hess and Irene Scharrer, and the man who taught them all, Tobias Matthay. We explore the Academy’s pedagogical tradition, discuss the ‘male gaze’ with Joanna MacGregor and hear from the late, great Quentin Crisp. Presenter: Anna PicardProducer: Natalie Steed Contributors: Helen Fry, Joanna MacGregor, Stephen Siek, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Allyson Devenish, Rebecca Leung Executive Producers, Royal Academy of Music: George Chambers, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Safi Schlicht Featured music: JS Bach Piano Concerto No 1 in D minor, BWV 1052, performed by Harriet CohenJS Bach Prelude No 1 in C, BWV 846, performed by Harriet CohenJS Bach arr Cohen Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 731, performed by Harriet CohenMozart Piano Sonata No 5 in G, K 283, performed by Irene ScharrerRavel Pavane pour une infante défunte performed by Myra HessJS Bach Prelude and Fugue in F sharp, BWV 858, performed by Academy student Rebecca LeungKabalevsky Piano Sonatina in C, Op 13 No 1, performed by Harriet CohenBax A Mountain Mood performed by Harriet Cohen With thanks to APR recordings for the use of their transfers of the historic recordings listed above. All are available on at aprrecordings.co.uk.

In a pair of old photos outside the Academy's Library of the class of 1918, there are two black students – composer and multi-instrumentalist Edmund T Jenkins and mezzo-soprano Evelyn Dove. In this episode, Anna Picard explores who they were, how they both forged successful careers and what their stories tell us about ‘high’ and ‘low’ art at that moment in history. We bring Edmund and Evelyn's worlds to life with rare recordings of their music, and we hear from Edmund’s great-nephew, who is keeping his music alive for a new generation. Presenter: Anna PicardProducer: Natalie Steed Contributors: Stephen Bourne, Melissa Doody, Julius P Williams, Allyson Devenish, Tuffus ZimbabweExecutive Producers, Royal Academy of Music: George Chambers, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Safi Schlicht Featured music: Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue performed by the Academy Symphony Orchestra with Edward Gardner and Adrian Brendel (piano)Busse, Johnson and Mueller Wang Wang Blues performed by Jack Hylton’s Jazz Band (restored masters provided by Bear Family Records)Spiritual arr Burleigh I Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray performed by Evelyn Dove (restored masters provided by Bear Family Records)Gershwin The Man I Love performed by Academy students Imogen Churchill (vocals), Toby Yapp (double bass), Scottie Thompson (piano)Coleridge-Taylor Nonet performed by Royal Academy of Music StudentsJenkins arr T Zimbabwe Folk Rhapsody performed by Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra with Julius P WilliamsShields/Ragas Clarinet Marmalade performed by James Rees Europe’s 369th US Infantry ‘Hell Fighters’ BandJenkins arr Plush Charlestonia performed by Studio orchestra & Philip Brunelle (Conductor)Jenkins arr Tuffus Zimbabwe Dance of Love performed by Tuffus ZimbabweComposer and composition unknown performed by Jenkins Orphanage BandKern The Bullfrog Patrol performed by Queen’s Dance Orchestra featuring Edmund T Jenkins (restored masters provided by Bear Family Records)Spiritual arr Laurence Brown Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit performed by Evelyn Dove (restored masters provided by Bear Family Records)

1968 saw a worldwide escalation of protest, invention and upheaval among a generation of students, musicians included. This episode takes the temperature of this time at the Academy, and investigates the tensions and reconciliations between tradition and the new. Anna Picard talks to some of the figures from that period, explores the longer history of ‘new music’ at the Academy (including a surprising choice of rehearsal venue by John Barbirolli), discusses Stravinsky with conductor Edward Gardner, takes a walk in the park with some musical trees, and finds out whether that revolutionary spirit of artistic experimentation and invention is still alive at the Academy today. Presenter: Anna PicardProducer: Natalie Steed Contributors: Hugh Shrapnel, Melissa Doody, Elizabeth Kenny, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Edward Gardner, Philip Cashian, Alex Hills, Lydia Walquist, Jessica Walker Executive Producers, Royal Academy of Music: George Chambers, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Safi Schlicht All the music in this episode is performed by Royal Academy of Music students: Paul Paterson RebeccaCardew TreatiseBirtwistle Chorale from a Toy Shop – For Igor Stravinsky (Version for Strings) performed by Academy Manson Ensemble with Oliver KnussenRavel String Quartet in FStravinsky The Rite of Spring performed by the Academy Symphony Orchestra and The Juilliard School Orchestra with Edward GardnerMusic for Trees written and performed by Joseph Graydon, Arnau Brichs Ponce and Ellen DrewLouise Drewett Pizzica performed by Bianca BengErik Griswold Action Music

Presenter: Anna PicardProducer: Natalie SteedExecutive Producers, Royal Academy of Music: George Chambers, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Safi Schlicht

Presenter: Anna PicardProducer: Natalie SteedExecutive Producers, Royal Academy of Music: George Chambers, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Safi Schlicht