INSIGHTS Virtual Lectures: Bagpuss: The Central Delight by Sandra Kerr

Sandra Kerr, Senior Music Teacher, Newcastle University
‘The central delight’ was the phrase used by Oliver Postgate to describe the music and songs written, arranged and recorded by Sandra Kerr & John Faulkner for Smallfilms’ award-winning and iconic films of ‘Bagpuss’ . In this talk, Sandra Kerr explores the influences and origins of the compositions, from the use of a medieval piece ‘harmonised in the Northumbrian fashion’ to create a mending mouse-round, to the adaptation of an erotic English folk song for the story of a Frog Princess, and from a Scottish weaving song for the tale of the Bony King of Nowhere to jigs, hornpipes and reels to accompany rhymes & legendsof sailors, mermaids, furry Hamishes, and all manner of other strange, charming and exotic characters. There will be some of the original instruments on show (and played) and the possibility of some singing…
- Featuring Sandra Kerr
- Music and Songs by Sandra Kerr, John Faulkner and Oliver Postgate
- Video and Editing by David Malone
Instruments featured: the spoons, the Appalachian Autoharp, Appalachian dulcimer, the English concertina, and the guitar.
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[@rogerfindlay6836]

I enjoyed this so much and thank you sincerely. R.

[@Shalott63]

Thank you so much for this video. I watched Bagpuss, with great delight, when it first came out (I was only just in double figures at the time). Back then I didn't really analyse out the various elements that went to make up the show, so I didn't think too much about the music consciously, but for the past decade or two as I occasionally watch repeats I have become more and more curious about how those sounds were made, as I am not very knowledgeable about music and I just couldn't place most of the instruments. I'm very glad that I've found out at last, not just about the "unlikely" instruments but also about some of the tunes and songs. My mother was also very fond of Bagpuss and she originally came from County Durham, and I wonder now whether some of the music would have reminded her of things she heard when she was a little girl.

[@janeblott]

Really enjoyed this, thank you. I had planned to attend the public lecture this evening , so was glad to come across the virtual version!

[@INSIGHTSPublicLecturesNCL]

Thank you for your comment Jane. We're really glad you enjoyed this lecture.

[@karenlawrinson]

This was a wonderful lecture and I'd love to see more like this, and more about folk music too. I'm gutted that I missed it live, as I would have been interested in what others had to say in the live chat.

[@INSIGHTSPublicLecturesNCL]

Thanks for your comment and I'm happy to hear you enjoyed this lecture.
I'm afraid we don't have any other music lectures scheduled at the moment but you might be interested in the new series of virtual concerts from the International Centre for Music Studies at Newcastle University: ua-cam.com/channels/sXxLCndyPY4Px1Fqo8qI5g.html

[@prof.paulfleet3942]

That was superb Sandra. Thoroughly enjoyed it. What is the name of the instrument you played across your lap, it looks like a squished lute or so my Evan describes it!

[@INSIGHTSPublicLecturesNCL]

Hi Paul, we've now added a list of all the instruments used in the video to the description:
the spoons, the Appalachian Autoharp, Appalachian dulcimer, the English concertina, and the guitar