Deconstructing a Radio Programme

BBC Radio 4
The Sound of Magnolias
A documentary on the blind Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo

• Cue: Presenter from BBC radio 4 introducing programme.
• Writer Irma Kurtz talks to Daughter Cecilia : their residence and the history on Rodrigo.
• Snippet of Rodrigo’s music, blends throughout her speaking
• Irma –History on Rodrigo, facts about his life, instruments he played
• Music becomes louder, then blends again into Irma
• Irma and Daughter : explaining surroundings and location
• Snippet of Rodrigo’s music
• Pepe Romero: talking about Rodrigo as a collaborator/Friend.
• Snippet of Rodrigo’s music
• Irma and Pepe :Spain/Rodrigo’s music is spirit of Spain/ his loves/different styles of music
• Music, fades into Pepe talking about the piece of music in background
• Irma introduces Carlos Bernal : Concierto de Aranjuez
• Music :Concierto de Aranjuez
• Fades into another piece of music
• Irma introduces Raymond Calcraft, composer: Rodrigo’s uniqueness
• Fades into music then back to Raymond: Rhythms
• Irma and Daughter in family home: Relationships within family
• Music :Piano Piece
• Daughter talks about His Piano Playing
• Irma talks about History ( His Studying)
• Irma introduces Oli Miguel and Narcis Bonet
• Miguel and Bonet :His University life, looking at photos (translator over the top of one)
• Music whilst talk about Modern life
• Irma discusses Rodrigo and Victoria ( his wife) in the early days, in Love / out of money
• Irma describes their first house as she walks around it
• Music ( which she would have imagined they would have played in the house)
• Teacher Cecil Rozual: University, Influences & Friends, Paris & Spain mixture – composers
• Music
• Irma: Transition from Paris to Madrid, Daughter and Irma talk about return to Madrid.
• Carlos Bernal: feelings and expressions
• Music ( fades onto talking)
• Pepe Romero : guitar playing
• Music reflecting the guitar playing he was talking about
• Irma and Daughter: depression and nostalgia
• Music
• Carlos Bernal: discussing his movement
• Pepe Romero: Inspirations for is music, didn’t tell anyone till he was 90, miscarried child
• Irma/Daughter: family life and his blindness
• Professor Raymond Calcraft: newspapers/critics/composing/carer as a writer and professor
• Enrique Perez: Blind Union/Spain/musician.
• Irma and Enrique facts on Blindness, how Rodrigo coped. (Brief talk on rain)
• Rain sounds merging into music
• Pepe Romero talks of the freshness of his music
• Music :guitar
• Irma : Concierto de Aranjuez , also talks of miles Davis
• Fades in Miles Davis music
• Daughter talking about his works
• Music
• Irma and Daughter in the gardens of Aranjuez, talking about his(and his wife's) resting place
• Music
• Collection of memories
• Lengthened piece of music
• Irma and Daughter : legacy of fathers music
• Snippet of music , stays behind talking
• Pepe talking about the meaning of music and what Rodrigo’s music has done.
• Music, music ends.
• Close Cue BBC 4 Radio presenter.


I enjoyed this Radio Programme a great deal; I thought it was very informative with many facts and opinions that linked in nicely with one another.
The speakers were varied from very personal, his daughter Cecilia, discussing family life, to Enrique Perez, part of the blind union, sharing facts on blindness
I liked the fact that there was a large amount of music complimenting the speaking, which also helped to break the script; otherwise it could have been too dense.
I thought it was excellent how Irma Kurtz travelled to different locations i.e. France and Spain; this gave a feel for the actual history. As she walked into his first house it became much more personal than just listening to her talking from a studio.
It would have been easier to follow if each time someone spoke their name was mentioned, as she did introduce them on their first speaking, but as there were quite a few speakers, it sometimes got confusing remembering and deciphering between voices.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the programme and felt that it was an educational experience for all those listening.