When the BBC edited another speech

In 1972 The Great Learning: Paragraphs 1 and 2 by Cornelius Cardew was scheduled for performance at a BBC Prom. The work, which sets translations of Confucius by Ezra Pound, generated genuine controversy before its performance. Because what the BBC management did not know was that Cardew - seen above in proselytising mode - had revised the work in line with his hardening Maoist views. 

This meant the revised version came complete with his politically motivated programme note and banners for display in the Albert Hall with the message "Apply Marxism-Leninism-Mao Tse-tung thought in a living way to the problems of the present". 

A typically unsatisfactory British compromise was eventually struck between BBC controller of music William Glock who had bravely programmed the work and Cardew. This resulted in an emasculated twelve minute excerpt from The Great Learning: Paragraph 1 being performed without slogans or polemical programme note. 

Cornelius Cardew or Donald Trump? I know which one I choose.

Comments

Pliable said…
Programme for that 1972 BBC Prom makes interesting reading:

Igor Stravinsky, Concerto for Two Solo Pianos: Cornelius Cardew, The Great Learning: Paragraph One, Proms premiere: Harrison Birtwistle, Nenia: the Death of Orpheus, Proms premiere: Béla Bartók
Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, Sz 110

Those were the days, my friend, We thought they'd never end....
3:06 pm
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