BBC TV chidrens' serial, 1950s called 'The Silver Sword'

[Hugh]

Hi,

Does anyone remember a BBC TV chidrens' serial from the 1950s called 'The Silver Sword'? It concerned a group of Polish chidren refugees escaping from the German advance in '39, and it's opening theme music was most striking - it was on violins, minor key, allegro, and was most haunting - I can remember it to this day! (I could write it down) I would love to know who the composer of this music was ... any info out there?

Many thanks, in anticipation of your replies.......

Regards,

Hugh.

[dansette21]

I too have been haunted by the opening music from The Silver Sword since I first watched it aged 5 in 1957!
I have always been able to remember this haunting violin piece,but have never heard it used for any other programme.
I contacted a chap in the BBC archives in 2005 and he was unable to discover anything about this music.
I have subsequently watched an episode of The Silver Sword at the TV and Media museum in Bradford and the memories came flooding back.
The opening titles and the music were exactly as I remembered them 50 years ago.
However, there must be some record somewhere in existence regarding the composer and copyright of this piece of music as clearly it was played by someone!
I regularly search the internet in the vain hope that someone has discovered the origins of this music, or indeed downloaded an episode of The Silver Sword on YouTube.
Perhaps one day we will get lucky

[malcolm frazer]

the title music used was
Ma Vlast by Smetana. and the incidental music was Dvorak's New World Symphony.
Hope that's a help.
MF

[Hugh]

Hi Malcolm, thank you for your comment, but I must disagree with you that this music is NOT from Smetena's 'Ma Vlast' (My Country) - I played the whole cycle of symphonic poems in my teens (in an amateur orchestra) and I'm sure I would have spotted - then - such a poignant tune? I gave my CD of 'Ma Vlast' a whirl tonight in case I had missed something, but that haunting tune is not, definitely - not, there.

I have long suspected that the music is, indeed, by Smetana, but it is not from 'Ma Vlast' --- could it be from one of his other works? Maybe a I'm bit 'nerdy' (!) but I would really like to track this tune down to it's source.........

I look forward if you have any further observations.

In greatest friendship, sincerity, and interest,

Hugh.

PS - Thanks, Ruud - Webmaster - for keeping us up to date on this discussion!

[dansette21]

I recall my mother writing to the BBC back in 1957/8 to enquire about the opening music to The Silver Sword and telling me that the music was not commercially available. The music does bear some similarity to Ma Vlast, but definitely is not the same piece.
As I stated in my previous post, this music has haunted me for over 50 years. The next time I visit the Museum of TV and Media in Bradford, I will try and record the opening on my mobile phone if only to have a reminder of it.
It seems very odd that this music has to my knowledge, never been used for any other production and no one seems to claim ownership of it.
Still living in hope!

[Hugh]

Hi Dansette - I share your dismay that this tune never became better known!

I wrote the whole tune and my remembered orchestration down on manuscript paper and sent it to Ruud (our Webmaster) and he was very helpful in distributing it, but there was no recognition of it from his contacts. I have tried all my musical friends and orchestra colleagues over the years - whistling it to them (!) - but it always draws a blank.... its a mystery!

It is NOT from 'Ma Vlast' (although Smetana is a strong contender) and it is NOT from Shostakovitch's 'Leningrad' Symphony (as a lot of people have suggested) ... I think it may have been from a BBC 'in house' English composer/employee whose scores were perhaps chucked in a skip in the 1960s......??? This was very common in those days, sadly, when pop music took over from the 'house orchestra'......

I lost my transcription (document file)of the score when my last computer 'died' on me, but I could easily write it down again for you in manuscript, as I remember the tune soooo well. I don't know how I could transfer the musical 'dots' to you through this R. Farnon website, but maybe Ruud still has my files? Maybe you could ask him.....

The research of how something so popular can just disappear -remember 'Billy Bunter' and the childrens' serial 'Huntingtower' from John Buchan's superb novel? - I know the music, very well, from all of these, but the Silver Sword seems to have sunk without trace....... we will just have to continue with our detective work!

Anyway, I can supply the manuscript from my memory, if you are interested.

I DO hope some of the other viewers to this site will come up with an answer!

All the best for now,

Hugh.

[dansette21]

Hi Hugh
The irony is that if I could write music,I too could transcribe this piece, as it has remained in my brain since I was 5 years old in 1957!
When I watched the archived final episode at the Museum of TV and Media 2 years ago, the opening sequence and the music was exactly as I had remembered.
I used to think that I was the only person on the planet that remembered this music , but recently I have discovered that there are quite a few of us around!
It would be great if you could send me your transcribed manuscript and meanwhile I will not give up my quest.
Perhaps one day the archived episodes of The Silver Sword will be available on DVD or via the internet. I would certainly pay for that privilege!
Regards
David

[Hugh]

Hi 'Dansette' David!

Yes, the tune haunts me too, to this day.

My manuscript transcript is somewhere among my papers (I'm not the best-organised person!) but if you want me to send it on to you I could easily write it all down again from memory and send it you on Email. The tune I can do in ten minutes - the harmonies might take a little longer!

I'm not sure of the Internet privacy/security/protocol on these blogging sites (all these Internet 'stalkers' going about) but if you want to drop me a line at -hugh.steele@blueyonder.co.uk - I'll be pleased to enter a dialogue with you and send you 'the dots' - maybe you have a friend who could rattle it out on the piano?

All the best for now,

Hugh.

[Hugh]

Hello friends,

I have just found out that there were three productions of The Silver Sword serial - one in 1953 (the one I saw) one in 1958, and one in 1971 - all of which used different music!

So, apologies Malcolm, maybe one of the later versions DID use Ma Vlast (I would assume the 2nd movement - Vltava?) and others have said to me in the past they thought it was a bit of Shostakovitch's 'Leningrad' Symphony - so maybe they are ALL correct?

The one to which I refer is the 1953 version. I have sent a transcript of 'the dots' as I remember them to 'dansette' so it will be interesting to hear his opinion.

This detective work - surely somebody out there knows the origin of this music!

Best regards all,

Hugh.

[dansette21]

Hi everyone
It appears that Hugh misunderstood the transmission dates of The Silver Sword; the book by Ian Serraillier having been published in 1956.
The first showing of the serialisation on BBC was in 1957. It was repeated as a telerecording the following year in 1958.
A completely new version was shown in 1971 with different opening credits and music.
The music used in 1971 was a much more "military" sounding piece, totally unlike the haunting violin based theme used in the 1957 original production.
Therefore there have only been 2 pieces of music used and it is the first piece that is so memorable.
Hope this information clarifies the situation and still hoping that someone can shed some light on the origin of this music.