Majestic Fanfare

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Күн бұрын

“Majestic Fanfare" is a short piece of music written by the British composer Charles Williams in 1935. It was first recorded in 1943 by the Queen's Hall Light Orchestra conducted by the composer. It was recorded for the Chappell library and it was Cat. # C-237. In an abridged form, it came to prominence in Australia: first as the signature tune for radio broadcasts of proceedings from the Parliament of Australia; and then as the signature tune for radio and television news broadcasts by the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC). It was first used for this purpose on 1 January 1952. The Majestic Fanfare replaced a short version of Advance Australia Fair that had been in use throughout World War II. Further shortening of what was already regarded as a significant national song (it would in 1984 become Australia’s official National Anthem) was regarded as somewhat sacrilegious, while shortening the apolitical Majestic Fanfare was deemed less contentious. The tune as used by the ABC exists in two formats: an 18-second version that was used for many years, and a 9-second abridged version that was usually used thereafter (although the 18-second version is still played on regional radio and on extended bulletins, such as the daily 7.45am Local Radio bulletins). On television, Majestic Fanfare was updated in 1982 to celebrate the ABC's 50th anniversary. In 1985, when ABC's evening news bulletin was replaced by The National, Majestic Fanfare was replaced by Alan Hawkshaw's Best Endeavours, then also used by Britain's Channel 4 News bulletins. In 1987, when ABC TV News was relaunched, Majestic Fanfare did not return. Since then, two Australian-composed tunes have been used. The first titled ABC TV News Theme was written in 1987 by Sydney composers Tony Ansell and Peter Wall. It was used for 19 years. The current ABC TV News theme, composed by Martin Armiger and introduced on Australia Day 2005, incorporates some prominent elements of the original Majestic Fanfare.

Пікірлер: 36

@beaksofeagles 3 жыл бұрын

This is how we knew, as kids in 1960, that it was 6 o'clock and time to come home for tea. Enough homes in our neighbourhood had the radio tuned to the ABC that we could hear it floating out wherever we were playing.

@terrythekittieful 2 жыл бұрын

And during the day at some stage, your class would be watching a TV lesson on the ABC'S 'For Schools'. They should bring that back in some form or another. Nothing wrong with education whatever your age.

@JamesAitchison-l7v Жыл бұрын

In the original version of this work you can hear how the organ adds extra gravitas. Super arrangement!

@chriswitts2004 2 ай бұрын

Great nostalgic tune

@bonnermartin7297 2 жыл бұрын

As a boy I use to listen to ABC short wave here in New Zealand. My favorite piece of music was The Majestic Fanfare played before the news. Occasionally ABC would play the extended version which was nice to hear. I am now in my eighties and have not forgotten this stirring theme. The Perth Symphony Orchestra have an interesting version see; kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5_dkoeQjdinbM0. This version is beautifully recorded and sounds fantastic on our 7.1 sound system which is flat 12Hz-22KHz. The bass drum hits one in the chest and the triangle is crystal clear.

@AJNorth 4 жыл бұрын

Majestic, indeed. When I discovered the ABC on the Internet several years ago and first heard what I later learned was Majestic Fanfare, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Truly thrilling (as is the segue music that ABC NewsRadio uses at 0530 AET when they leave the BBC to begin their broadcast day, an edited segment of the pure instrumental version of "Garador's Flight," written & conducted by Jo Blankenburg).

@Myrmecia 4 жыл бұрын

I like Garador's flight, too. It is an excellent choice by ABC New Radio as it is fresh, youthful and confident - just the way to start the day in Australia.

@AJNorth 4 жыл бұрын

@@Myrmecia Indeed; it's also a good way to start the day (or afternoon, as it were) here in North America. The complete actual track that the ABC utilized [in various edited snippets] is "Garador's Flight (Non-Choir)" - which can be found at www.positionmusic.com/track/NDMwMTU0LTBkOGY5Mg. Enjoy! Cheers.

@ianbrown8540 4 жыл бұрын

I just love it! So pleased I will be hearing the extended version prior to the News at 0700 AET.

@saxongreen78 2 жыл бұрын

'British Light Music' is some of the most stirring and vibrant there is...the sun is a light, after all.

@AntifoulAwl 5 жыл бұрын

And here is the news, read by James Dibble.

@cliverodda3980 4 жыл бұрын

Oh yes indeed. Refreshing; a joy to hear again. BrinReassurance. Comforting.gs many emotions and memories to the fore. Reassurance. Comforting. An "old friend" one may well say. As I do.

@georgechatelain2308 Жыл бұрын

Very nice to hear that

@andrewgray996 Жыл бұрын

There were many versions over the years, but I really think that the original version (above) is the best. I especially like the tubular bell in the last phrase.

@Tom-kt8lu 5 жыл бұрын

It's funny that Australia ended up with such a grandiose news theme. All that pomp and circumstance, followed by some humdrum soundbite about the economy by 'the Prime Minister, Mr Malcolm Fraser' (as though anyone could forget who the PM was, reminded as they were every hour).

@BondiBluey 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for this Alex. Great quality. Interestingly this was not the pressing we had at the ABC in Hobart. Ours I think was a later blue or yellow label Chappell pressing which came before the red label 78's. We had vinyls of the ABC versions (19" and 10") which most certainly were commissioned by the ABC back in the 50's. TV used the 10" version. I am not a fan of most of the later themes the ABC used. They may work for TV and FM but not AM radio. Composers and commissioners fundamentally don't understand the technical requirements especially for AM radio.

@BondiBluey 3 жыл бұрын

@listen2meokidoki AM radio is extremely limited in reproducible frequency range of sound compared with FM. To my knowledge there was no difference in bandwidth. Separation was 10khz for all stations until Australia moved to the ridiculous and unnecessary 9Khz spacing. Made it even harder for listeners to tune their radios manually. The ABC transmitters were not operated by ABC engineers and were notorious for being run at only 60% of capacity. Commercial stations for years ran their transmitters at 100 to 110% of capacity and also used compression and equalization to enhance their sound quality and penetration.

@stephenwilko 5 жыл бұрын

I remember in the 1980's, it might of been the 1985 re-recording, a radio version was recorded at the the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, I think it is the recording heard today on radio?

@thehehrarchive1556 5 жыл бұрын

Stephen Wilkinson They made an electronic version (yuk) to try and be in vogue. As for me the original is just fine.

@annak011 2 жыл бұрын

When I was a kid on the farm this theme was the theme for the ABC news and usually co incided with meal time so thre times a day we heard it and ther was total silence until the news ended it was the only wireless news we fot in the country.

@Me-fo1kk 3 жыл бұрын

Thats our national anthem.

@robrophside3691 9 ай бұрын

Can you upload 'Investiture Fanfare', from the same record? It was used in the Monty Python's Flying Circus episode "Michael Ellis".

@thehehrarchive1556 8 ай бұрын

I will get around to it soon..thanks!

@midnightteapot5633 4 жыл бұрын

have you got a recording of the ABC "science report" ? used to be shown on the weekend during the afternoon or perhaps just before four corners was shown at midday .

@thehehrarchive1556 4 жыл бұрын

midnight teapot Sorry mate, I don’t have anything. Regards Alex

@steamrangercomputing Жыл бұрын

Is there sheet music for the original version available anywhere? I've been looking around but can't find any.

@antonvann2576 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Alex, do you have the opening theme to ABC Parliament broadcasts from the days when it was on 3LO.

@thehehrarchive1556 4 жыл бұрын

Anton Vann Hi Anton I will certainly check it out and if I have will upload.

@waynecarveth 10 ай бұрын

Did you ever find out it's name? Most people can't remember it existed. I'm in Canberra at the moment & the Old Parliament House display only mentions the Majestic Fanfare as the intro.