Arthur Miller: accidental music collector

Subject: Arthur Miller: acidental music collector
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 10:10 AM

BBC Radio 4, Tuesday 22 Feb:

Arthur Miller: the Accidental Music collector
In 1941 Arthur Miller was sent south to Wilmington, North Carolina, to record the accents of the former slave port a few weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Chritopher Bigsby discovered the material he gathered and hears Miller tell the story of how, quite by accident, the playwright became a music collector.

A longer write-up explains how he was working for the Library of Congress, "But what he witnessed ... was to change his view of the world forever and, as a result, the nature of the dramas he wrote. For in the middle of appalling poverty and disgusting racial prejudice flourished protest songs and exquisite blues music. Needless to say, Miller recorded the songs as well as the spoken voices."

RT went to press too early for the news of Miller's death to be included, so it should make a fitting tribute.

Steve

Subject: RE: Arthur Miller: acidental music collector
From: mack/misophist
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 10:49 AM

If any one hs more information to add on this topic, I should like to hear it.

Subject: RE: Arthur Miller: acidental music collector
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Feb 05 - 11:21 AM

There was a very interesting program on Arthur Miller including recordings of his rather good singing voice on Radio 4. It was called Miller on Mike scroll down the page till you find it, and click Listen again.
Giok

Subject: RE: Arthur Miller: accidental music collector
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 23 Feb 05 - 09:16 AM

Seems most of you missed this thread, but fortunately Greg started this thread in the nick of time.

Steve