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The Curtain Lowers

Donald Macleod delves into the later career of Broadway giant, Richard Rodgers, including further big hits with Oscar Hammerstein II, such as The Sound of Music and The King and I.

Donald Macleod delves into the later career of Broadway giant, Richard Rodgers, including further big hits with Oscar Hammerstein II, such as The Sound of Music and The King and I. After Hammerstein's death in 1960, Rodgers struggles to find the ideal new collaborator for his final five musicals.

I Whistle A Happy Tune (The King and I, Act I)
Julie Andrews (Anna), vocals
Edmund Kingsley (Louis), vocals
Los Angeles Master Chorale
Hollywood Bowl Orchestra
John Mauceri, conductor

Getting to Know You (The King and I, Act I)
Julie Andrews (Anna), vocals
Los Angeles Master Chorale
Hollywood Bowl Orchestra
John Mauceri, conductor

I Have Dreamed (The King and I, Act II)
Bryn Terfel, bass-baritone
Orchestra of Opera North
Paul Daniel, conductor

No Other Love (Me and Juliet, Act I)
Bryn Terfel, bass-baritone
Orchestra of Opera North
Paul Daniel, conductor

In my own little corner (Cinderella, Act I)
Julie Andrews (Cinderella), vocals
Studio orchestra
Alfredo Antonini, conductor

I Enjoy Being a Girl (Flower Drum Song, Act I)
Yama Saki (Linda), vocals
London Theatre Orchestra
Robert Lowe, conductor

The Sound Of Music Orchestral Suite
Cincinnati Pops Orchestra
Erich Kunzel, conductor

Do I Hear a Waltz?
Elizabeth Allen (Leona Samish), vocals
Studio Orchestra
Frederick Dvonch, conductor

The Sweetest Sounds (No Strings, Act I)
Richard Hayman Symphony Orchestra

Away from You (Rex, Act I)
Sarah Brightman, soprano
Studio Orchestra
Harry Rabinowitz, conductor

Climb Ev’ry Mountain - Reprise (The Sound of Music, Act II)
Lesley Garrett (Mother Superior), soprano
London Palladium Cast
London Palladium Theatre Orchestra
Jeremy Sams, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock

59 minutes

Last on

Fri 19 Sep 2025 16:00

Music Played

  • Richard Rodgers

    I Whistle a Happy Tune (from The King and I)

    Singer: Julie Andrews. Orchestra: Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: John Mauceri.
    • PHILIPS : 4380072.
    • PHILIPS.
  • Richard Rodgers

    Getting To Know You (from The King and I)

    Singer: Julie Andrews. Orchestra: Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: John Mauceri.
    • PHILIPS : 4380072.
    • PHILIPS.
    • 11.
  • Richard Rodgers

    I Have Dreamed (from The King and I)

    Singer: Bryn Terfel. Orchestra: Opera North Orchestra. Conductor: Paul Daniel.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON : 449-163-2.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 10.
  • Richard Rodgers

    No Other Love (from Me and Juliet)

    Singer: Bryn Terfel. Orchestra: Opera North Orchestra. Conductor: Paul Daniel.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOP : 449-163-2.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOP.
    • 12.
  • Richard Rodgers

    In my own little corner (from Cinderella)

    Singer: Julie Andrews. Orchestra: Studio Orchestra. Conductor: Alfredo Antonini.
    • COLUMBIA : CK-44375.
    • COLUMBIA.
    • 1.
  • Richard Rodgers

    I Enjoy Being A Girl (from Flower Drum Song)

    Singer: Yama Saki. Orchestra: London Alhambra Theatre Orchestra. Conductor: Robert Lowe.
    • ANGEL RECORDS : S-35886.
    • ANGEL RECORDS.
    • 4.
  • Richard Rodgers

    The Sound of Music Orchestra Suite

    Orchestra: Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Conductor: Erich Kunzel.
    • TELARC.
  • Richard Rodgers

    Do I Hear a Waltz? (from Do I Hear a Waltz?)

    Singer: Elizabeth Allen. Orchestra: Studio Orchestra. Conductor: Frederick Dvonch.
    • SONY : SK-48206.
    • SONY.
    • 12.
  • Richard Rodgers

    The Sweetest Sounds (from No Strings)

    Ensemble: Philharmonic Symphony.
    • NAXOS : 8.555924.
    • NAXOS.
    • 10.
  • Richard Rodgers

    Away From You (from Rex)

    Conductor: Harry Rabinowitz. Singer: Sarah Brightman.
    • DECCA : 589-050-2.
    • DECCA.
    • 2.
  • Richard Rodgers

    Climb Ev'ry Mountain Reprise (from The Sound of Music)

    Performer: Jeremy Sams. Singer: Lesley Garrett. Ensemble: London Palladium Cast Recording. Ensemble: London Palladium Theatre Orchestra.
    • REALLY USEFUL : 171-8876.
    • REALLY USEFUL.
    • 22.

Broadcast

  • Fri 19 Sep 2025 16:00

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