Masterpiece Theatre (theatrical anthology)

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

     [An anthology 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;

      The broadcasts were funded by Mobil Oil Company at times 
      so it had the alternate titles...
    
      aka: "Mobil Masterpiece Theatre"
      aka: "Exxon-Mobil Masterpiece Theatre"]

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MainTheme: "The Masterpiece" based upon "Rondeau" from "The First Symphonic Suite"

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

     Composer Mouret was described as a fancy dresser who loved good 
     food and wine; he was a ballet, opera and stage composer who 
     was employed at one point 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;
     it's 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...]

     Orig. Composer: Jean-Joseph Mouret (1682 - 1738)
     Adapter: Paul Parnes

     1978 Publisher: [in the Public Domain]
     2001 Publisher: [in the Public Domain]

     Composition Date: 

    [The LP on Sine Qua Non records includes THEMEs from 
     several of the mini-series including the Main Theme
     used on the air, which was recorded in 1954 by the
     Collegium Musicum of Paris conducted by Roland Duatte
     released originally on Vogue Records]

     Recordings: 
            LP: "Themes from Masterpiece Theatre" (1985)
                 Volumes I and II (2-LP set)
                 produced by the WGBH Educational Foundation
                 Sine Qua Non Records -- 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

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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 (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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