Riding a new musical wave
QUESTION Could any of The Beach Boys surf?
THE Beach Boys gained fame for their surfing songs, epitomised by their 1963 hit Surfin’ USA. Their harmonious vocals and catchy tunes captured the spirit of the California surf culture, reflecting the sun-soaked, carefree lifestyle associated with surfing.
It was ironic, therefore, that only one member of the band – Dennis Wilson, the Beach Boys’ drummer – could surf. Lead guitarist Carl Wilson said in an interview: ‘Dennis was the only one who could really surf. We all tried, even Brian [Wilson], but we were terrible. We just wanted to have a good time and play music.’
Kevin Johns, Malvern, Worcestershire.
QUESTION Was William Blake’s ‘and did those feet in ancient time’ set to music before Hubert Parry turned it into the anthem Jerusalem?
WILLIAM BLAKE’S great poem, along with Hubert Parry’s rousing music, now known as Jerusalem, is regarded as a second national anthem of England and Wales, a staple of English hymnals and public schools and the final song of the Last Night of the Proms.
It was first put to music in 1907 by composer Henry Davies (18691941). This was in the form of a part song, a piece of music sung without accompaniment by a choir. The origins of Jerusalem as a patriotic song date back to 1893. In that year, Anglican vicar Henry Beeching compiled the anthology A Paradise Of English Poetry. This included Blake’s stanzas, ‘And did those feet...’, as the second poem in the section on patriotism. The other two pieces were a rousing speech by John of Gaunt from Shakespeare’s Richard II and Arthur Hugh Clough’s poem Green Fields Of England.
This came to the attention of Walford Davies, a well-known composer of the era. Walford Davies was organist at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. He studied at the Royal College of Music where he met Hubert Parry, establishing a lifelong friendship.
Walford Davies later became England’s first popular radio personality on the subject of classical music, presenting Music And The Ordinary Listener for the BBC (1926-39) and wartime broadcasts for children (1939-41). He would eventually be appointed Master of the King’s Music in 1934. His arrangement of the carol The Holly And The Ivy is the one we still sing today. The fame of Jerusalem stems, of course, from Parry’s composition in 1916. He was persuaded by Walford Davies and the poet laureate, Robert Bridges, to set Blake’s words to music in the service of Fight For Right, a group that sought to rouse morale and increase recruitment in the depths of World War I.
Walford Davies recalled how, on March 11, 1916, Hubert Parry handed him the composition with the understated words: ‘Here’s a tune for you, old chap. Do what you like with it.’
Jerusalem was immediately recognised as a masterpiece at its first performance at the Queen’s Hall, West London, on March 28, 1916. Parry’s composition was sung by 300 members of the main choirs of London, as well as several professional singers, conducted by Walford Davies.
Ian Whiteman, Liverpool.
QUESTION Where was Britain’s first competitive marathon held?
BRITAIN’S first annual marathon was the Polytechnic Marathon, popularly called the Poly, held most years between 1909 and 1996. It was originally run over a route of 26 miles, 385 yards – later ratified as the global standard.
The Poly had its origins in the marathon of the 1908 Summer Olympics, held in London. The organisation of the marathon had been placed in the hands of The Polytechnic Harriers, the athletics club of The Regent Street Polytechnic, which is today the University of Westminster.
In those days, there was no set distance for the marathon – it was simply a very long race, roughly 25 miles in length. The Polytechnic Harriers chose the entrance to the royal apartments at Windsor Castle as the start point, with the finish line on the track at White City stadium in front of the royal box. The distance happened to be 26 miles, 385 yards, which was subsequently adopted, in 1924, as the International standard.
The 1908 Olympic marathon turned out to be one of the most dramatic races of all time. Dorando Pietri of Italy entered the stadium well clear of the field before collapsing short of the finishing line. He was assisted over the line by stewards. US runner Johnny Hayes came second and his team immediately lodged a complaint. This was upheld and Pietri was disqualified. Since Pietri was not responsible for his disqualification, Queen Alexandra awarded him a gilded silver cup the next day in recognition of his bravery.
Building on the considerable interest this aroused, The Sporting Life offered a fine trophy for an annual international marathon that would be second in importance only to the Olympics. The Polytechnic Harriers were again asked to organise the event, and thus the Poly was born.
The first Poly Marathon was held along the same course as the 1908 marathon. It took place on May 8, 1909. Englishman Henry Frederick Barrett won, setting a world best time of 2:42:31.
By 1970 the Polytechnic Harriers and the Poly Marathon were in decline. Traffic problems made it difficult to continue with the Windsor to Chiswick route, and from 1973 until 1992 the race was restricted to the Windsor area. Its days as a competitive race ended with its 78th running in 1996.
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