BBC Radio 4 UK Theme - Original 1978 Recording [rare]

Premiere of the 'Radio 4 UK Theme', on Monday, 20th November 1978 at about 9.07pm*, a few days before its first regular broadcast was due to take place (at around 5.54am on Thursday of that week). Devoted Radio 4 listeners will notice that this original recording is different from the version that was in use when the Theme was axed in 2006, being slightly longer (5mins 45secs) and without the 'Greensleeves / Drunken Sailor' section (having instead a longer and slower 'Londonderry Air / Annie Laurie' section, with the two pieces played separately before being combined). I don't know when the Theme was re-recorded but presumably it was sometime in the '80s, for by 1990 the more familiar 5-minute arrangement was being used ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PJMfW9F7wU ).

The launch of the Theme coincided with Radio 4's move from medium wave to long wave and its re-launch as a national service (i.e. without the regional opt-outs which it had inherited from the old Home Service in 1967). It was intended to reflect Radio 4 as a service which served the whole of the United Kingdom. The big switch took place in the early hours of Thursday, 23rd November, 1978.

When the controversial axing of the Theme was announced in 2006, BBC press releases erroneously claimed that it had been used to open the station each morning since 1973. Perhaps they were confusing the 'UK Theme' with another Fritz Spiegl composition, 'A Skipping Tune', which was Radio 4's start-up music from 1973 to 1978 (when it was replaced by the UK Theme).

This clip begins with some continuity, including an announcement of the imminent frequency change, before the music begins at 2:47. (Does anyone know the announcer's name?)

*Judging from the 'Radio Times' for 18-24th November 1978 (shown in the video), this whole sequence - continuity and music - went out from around 9.05 to 9.14pm, filling a lengthy gap between the end of a new production of Dylan Thomas's 'Under Milk Wood' and the start of the next programme at 9.15pm.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• BBC
• Radio
• UK
• Theme
• 1978
• Fritz
• Spiegl
• start-up
• music
• continuity

[antidisenstable]

This excellent!! I'm the first ever person on You Tube the view this video!! If this video is still on You Tube in 20 years time, I'll still always be the fist one who ever viewed it; I am delighted at that fact.

The BBC Radio 4 UK Theme is wonderful and it should never have been taken off the air.

I wasn't even born in 1978 and it is very special to be able to hear this.

Bring back the UK Theme!!

Long live BBC Radio 4 and long live Sailing BY and The National Anthem.

Cheers.

[Sanisaninja]

an age away...a better age :D

[RandomRadioJottings]

The announcer is this clip is Edgar Martin. Not strictly the "premiere" of the R4 theme as it was aired the previous week during a similar "gap" in the schedules.

[mrswheel]

Heart-warming music but does anyone remember c 1977 a medieval minuette briefly featured as a Radio 4 start-up? At its 'height' the first couple of bars preceded practically every programme.

[TSR1989LW]

@MrTUCTUC1 Well actually in the 1970's many people still didn't have a Television at home, after all they were considerably more expensive (to Produce & to Buy) back then, while co-currently many household Incomes were lower than today.

Even in the early 1990's not having a TV wasn't entirely unusual (i should know as i grew up then, & only about half my Street had one, & only half a dozen of those had more than analog).

[TSR1989LW]

@Sanisaninja Well apart from the... Piles of Rubbish in the Streets / Rabid Industrial Decline /Closed Shop / Strikeitus (even among Undertakers of all things)/ NF Riots & Bell Bottoms then yes it was.

[TSR1989LW]

Truly a Great Moment in the History of Radio, sadly one that only lasted 28 Years rather than to the present day (as it jolly well SHOULD have done i say!).

It's slightly different in Pitch than the version i grew up with, but Just as Beautiful & Moving.

God Bless this, the last Great Intro Theme, one i hope to see restored to it's rightful place (on BBC Radio IV ; )

[Oldwolf63]

this will be on my MP3 player :)

[MrTUCTUC1]

Even in 1978 the style sounded so outdated-the long pauses and the comment 'if you have a television set ...' (!)

[bobbydj01]

Oooh!! Little stickers!! Now - where did I put those.

[tequk1]

Wonderfully patronising opening introduction. I love this combination of a sweet Early One Morning; a typically imperially boastful Rule Britannia; a peaceful Londonderry Air; the haunting Annie Laurie; and, after, a forceful Men of Harlech with Scotland the Brave; then back to Early One Morning; Rule Britannia with a shrieking Trumpet Voluntary and back once again to a triumphant Rule Britannia!

God, it makes me proud that this is my home. And forever it shall remain.

God Save the Queen!

[Trek001]

I swear the UK theme was played the other day. Great to hear this original version though!