Last night as I was working on the unfun task of removing stuff of mine from my ex's house (formerly our house) while he and our son were away, I had the TV on showing the Masterpiece Theatre production of Thomas Hardy's "Under the Greenwood Tree". Fortunately, I also had a tape in the VCR, so I can sit and enjoy it -- probably tonight.

I thought I had read that one, but apparently not. I belive this was the most musical of Hardy's stories, and it sounded like they did a pretty good job of it in the production. One of the times I did pause and look, I spotted a concertina under one character's arm (looked like it could have been kind of a late model for the period, though ;-) . Kind of ironically, one of the things I was moving out was a portable harmonium (of Indian manufacture).

I see by the web site that this was a re-broadcast; that it was on the air last April, but I don't remember hearing of it then.

Here are notes on the music from the show:

Composers James Lunn and Jim Williams wrote the original music for Under the Greenwood Tree. Other music heard in the program includes:

    * In Bethlehem He was Born, aka Remember, O Thou Man [Traditional, sung by choir]

      From Under the Greenwood Tree:
      "...Then passed forth into the quiet night an ancient and time-worn hymn, embodying a quaint Christianity in words orally transmitted from father to son through several generations down to the present characters, who sang them out right earnestly..."

    * It Came Upon a Midnight Clear [Music, Richard S. Willis, 1850; Words, Edmund H. Sears, 1849. Hymn sung in church by cast members]

    * The Drummer's Stick [Traditional, sung by choir at May Day fair, played by choir in church]

    * Abide With Me [Music, William H. Monk, 1861; Words, Henry F. Lyte, 1847. Sung by cast members in church]

    * Lead Us Heavenly Father, Lead Us [Music, Friedrich Filitz, 1847; Words, James Edmeston, 1821. Hymn sung by cast in church]

    * One Night as I Lay on My Bed [Traditional, Fancy is serenaded by choir]

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Unfortunately, I don't see any credits for music performance online. I'll see what I can get from the tape tonight.

Also, no links to the current day Mellstock Band.

Anyone have any comments or inside scoop?

~ Becky in Tucson