Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

In a programme for St. Swithun's Day, traditionally associated with predicting the weather, Mark Tully examines the emotional impact of rain.

St. Swithun's day is arguably the most British of all Saints days, associated as it is with one of the nations most popular topics of conversation: the weather. More specifically of course, it's associated with rain as the saint is most commonly prayed to in times of drought and tradition has it that, if it rains on St Swithun's day, it will rain solidly for the next forty days.

Mark Tully considers the emotional impact rain has upon us in a summer that has already seen its fair share of it. An edition of Something Understood to splash about in, with readings provided by Longfellow, Tagore and Langston Hughes and a range of evocative music from Chopin and Debussy to Ella Fitzgerald and the Portuguese Fado singer Mariza.

Why go out in the rain, when you can stay inside and listen to it on the radio?

The readers are Philip Franks and Grainne Keenan.

Producer: Frank Stirling
A Unique production for 大象传媒 Radio 4

28 minutes

Last on

Sun 9 Jul 2023 06:05
大象传媒 Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Being Good

Next

Manners Maketh Man

See all episodes from Something Understood

Music Played

  • Fr茅d茅ric Chopin

    Prelude Op. 28 No. 15 'Raindrop'

    Performer: Claudio Arrau

    • Chopin: 24 Preludes Op.28, Etc.
    • Philips.
    • 4266342.

  • Allan Roberts & Doris Fisher

    Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall

    Performer: Ella Fitzgerald And The Ink Spots

    • The Best Of The Ink Spots.
    • Universal Muic.
    • B003A70PXM.

  • Claude Debussy

    Jardins Sous La Pluie

    Performer: Claudio Arraru

    • Debussy: Preludes Book1, Images Book 1, Etc.
    • Philips.
    • 4203932.

  • Shivkumar Sharma

    Raga Mian Ki Malhar

    Performer: Pandit Shivkumar Sharma

    • Raga Mian Ki Malhar.
    • Navras Records.
    • B001FSXSCI.

  • Jorge Fernando

    Chuva

    Performer: Mariza

    • Mariza: Fado Em Mim.
    • World Connection.
    • 43028.

  • Ferde Grof茅

    Grand Canyon

    Performer: Detroit Symphony Orchestra / Antal Dorati

    • Grofe: Grand Canyon Suite.
    • Decca.
    • 4307122.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 15 Jul 2012 06:05
    大象传媒 Radio 4
  • Sun 15 Jul 2012 23:30
    大象传媒 Radio 4
  • Sun 9 Jul 2023 06:05
    大象传媒 Radio 4