Masterpiece Theatre (theatrical anthology)

     (PBS Primetime, 1971 - 1986;
      PBS Primetime, 1991 - present)

     [An group of mini-series produced originally by the BBC
      began in this series which became one of the finest venues
      of literate theatre performances, such as "The Forsyte Saga",
      "The First Churchills", "Madame Bovary", "Edward & Mrs. Simpson",
      "Jewel In The Crown", "The Tale of Beatrix Potter",
      "The Citadel" and the most famous, "Upstairs/Downstairs";

      Allistair Cooke, a British gentleman who was known in the
      U.S. for his hosting of the Ford Foundation's "Omnibus"
      arts anthology series on CBS, ABC & NBC, was the host of
      this series until his death in March, 2004;

      At times the broadcasts were underwritten by Mobil Oil  
      Company so it had alternate titles as follows:
    
      aka: "Mobil Masterpiece Theatre";
      aka: "Exxon-Mobil Masterpiece Theatre"]


Source of Theme: Rondeau, from the "First Symphonic Suite"

    [aka: "Sinfonies De Fanfares (Premiere Suite, 1st movement)"]
   
    [Jean-Joseph Mouret (1682 - 1738) was described as a fancy dresser who  
     loved good food and wine; He was a writer of ballet, opera and incidental
     music for the stage. 
     
     At one point in his career he was employed by the Duchesse du Maine,
     whose celebrated "Grandes Nuits de Sceaux" at her chateau near Paris
     were famous parties which included theatrical events and concerts;

     The Rondeau -- sometimes spelled Rondo -- is a dance form which
     he composed as the first movement of his First Symphonic Suite;
     The Rondeau is sometimes called "Fanfare" from "The First 
     Symphonic Suite";

     The Suite was written by Mouret for the court of Louis XIV, the
     famous "Sun King" of France, as part of his "Symphonies and 
     Fanfares for the King's Supper";

     The French royalty and aristocracy would have been amazed to
     know that nearly 300 years later, their courtly dinner music 
     would still be heard around the world to herald dramatic 
     theatrical Masterpieces seen on two continents...]

     Composer: Jean-Joseph Mouret (predates ASCAP)

     Original Publisher:
     
     Composition Date:
     
     Copyright Date:
     
     Recordings:


Main Theme: "The Masterpiece, based upon Mouret's "Rondeau, from the 'First Symphonic Suite'"

    [aka: "Sinfonies De Fanfares (Premiere Suite, 1st movement)";

     This was mostly a re-sizing of the longer work by Mouret, to fit the 
     needs of a THEME for the weekly PBS TV series, with its varied fare
     of plays and dramatic works.
     
     The LP below on Sine Qua Non records includes THEMEs from several
     PBS mini-series including the Main Theme for Masterpiece Theatre
     used on the air, which was recorded in 1954 by the Collegium Musicum 
     of Paris conducted by Roland Duatte released originally on 
     Vogue Records]]

     Adapter/Arranger: Paul Parnes

     1978 Publisher: [in the Public Domain]
     
     2001 Publisher: [in the Public Domain]
     
     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:
     
     Recordings: 
            LP: "Themes from Masterpiece Theatre" (1985)
                 Volumes I and II (2-LP set)
                 produced by the WGBH Educational Foundation
                 Sine Qua Non Records (1954)-- SQN 5057-1

            CD: "Public Television's Greatest Hits" (1990)
                 The United Kingdom Symphony Orchestra
                 conducted by Harry Rabinowitz, M. B. E.
                 BMG Records 60470-2-RC


American Collection Theme (1991- ): "The American Collection Theme"

    [This piece was a sub-theme used beginning in 1991 and revised
     in a longer version in 1999, for plays by American authors...]

     Composer: John Towner Williams (ASCAP/BMI)

     2001 Publishers: Warner Publishing Company (BMI)
                         c/o Warner-Chappell Pub. Corp.
                         of Los Angeles, CA; and
                      Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Co. (BMI)
                         c/o Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
                         of Los Angeles, CA

     Copyright Date:
     Renewal   Date:

     Recordings:



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