SN
I thought it was fitting, and nice. It's good to see a bit of variation upon the music from time to time, as well!
IT
The montage was just now on BBC1, Rob - I think, either way it sounded like a different version of the countdown, can't say I was impressed!
Hmmm, me neither really. It was good by his modern standards, but when you heard all the themes from the early 2000s go out live every day, it sort of pales. I remember a time when BBC News music would send a chill down your spine; notably on September 11th and during the Iraq War. Recently, his music is good, but not that good. His domestic BBC News music all sounds a bit samey to me these days, not as distictive as it was in the past. BBC World still has some good themes, though, like WNT, The Hub etc.
itsrobert
Founding member
Was that montage at about 0015 accompanied by a new version of David Lowe's music. If so, I've got to be honest, I couldn't tell. Just sounded like the normal filler/countdown music to me. I think I've heard so many DL themes over the past 13 years that I'm getting to the point where I can't tell one from another!
The montage was just now on BBC1, Rob - I think, either way it sounded like a different version of the countdown, can't say I was impressed!
Hmmm, me neither really. It was good by his modern standards, but when you heard all the themes from the early 2000s go out live every day, it sort of pales. I remember a time when BBC News music would send a chill down your spine; notably on September 11th and during the Iraq War. Recently, his music is good, but not that good. His domestic BBC News music all sounds a bit samey to me these days, not as distictive as it was in the past. BBC World still has some good themes, though, like WNT, The Hub etc.
BA
Bail
Moderator
[quote="itsrobert]
I remember a time when BBC News music would send a chill down your spine; notably on September 11th and during the Iraq War. Recently, his music is good, but not that good. His domestic BBC News music all sounds a bit samey to me these days, not as distictive as it was in the past. BBC World still has some good themes, though, like WNT, The Hub etc.[/quote]
From memory the 9/11 stuff wasn't by David directly but a mix made in house from some unused elements.
I remember a time when BBC News music would send a chill down your spine; notably on September 11th and during the Iraq War. Recently, his music is good, but not that good. His domestic BBC News music all sounds a bit samey to me these days, not as distictive as it was in the past. BBC World still has some good themes, though, like WNT, The Hub etc.[/quote]
From memory the 9/11 stuff wasn't by David directly but a mix made in house from some unused elements.
IT
From memory the 9/11 stuff wasn't by David directly but a mix made in house from some unused elements.
Well, yes and no. The special music used in the aftermath of 9/11 was exactly as composed by David Lowe himself. There was a special open and a 60" special close as part of the new The World Today package introduced in September 2001. The in-house music you're thinking of is the Iraq War theme. That was an extended 2' version of the said TWT special music, which was indeed edited by the BBC. But the music itself was still by David Lowe.
itsrobert
Founding member
From memory the 9/11 stuff wasn't by David directly but a mix made in house from some unused elements.
Well, yes and no. The special music used in the aftermath of 9/11 was exactly as composed by David Lowe himself. There was a special open and a 60" special close as part of the new The World Today package introduced in September 2001. The in-house music you're thinking of is the Iraq War theme. That was an extended 2' version of the said TWT special music, which was indeed edited by the BBC. But the music itself was still by David Lowe.
BA
From memory the 9/11 stuff wasn't by David directly but a mix made in house from some unused elements.
Well, yes and no. The special music used in the aftermath of 9/11 was exactly as composed by David Lowe himself. There was a special open and a 60" special close as part of the new The World Today package introduced in September 2001. The in-house music you're thinking of is the Iraq War theme. That was an extended 2' version of the said TWT special music, which was indeed edited by the BBC. But the music itself was still by David Lowe.
Well perhaps the music I'm thinking of as actually the one year on stuff? Just the drums with no strings.. I know what you mean about the "standard" special/somber stuff of the time and that you are correct in saying is by David directly.
Bail
Moderator
From memory the 9/11 stuff wasn't by David directly but a mix made in house from some unused elements.
Well, yes and no. The special music used in the aftermath of 9/11 was exactly as composed by David Lowe himself. There was a special open and a 60" special close as part of the new The World Today package introduced in September 2001. The in-house music you're thinking of is the Iraq War theme. That was an extended 2' version of the said TWT special music, which was indeed edited by the BBC. But the music itself was still by David Lowe.
Well perhaps the music I'm thinking of as actually the one year on stuff? Just the drums with no strings.. I know what you mean about the "standard" special/somber stuff of the time and that you are correct in saying is by David directly.
SN
I think the theme used on the bulletin just now was the kind of music they'd use for serious events nowadays, if it was fitting. To be honest, they don't tend to be so creative in their use of music these days, it's certainly a rare occasion for them to use a different piece of music to the titles or sting.
IT
From memory the 9/11 stuff wasn't by David directly but a mix made in house from some unused elements.
Well, yes and no. The special music used in the aftermath of 9/11 was exactly as composed by David Lowe himself. There was a special open and a 60" special close as part of the new The World Today package introduced in September 2001. The in-house music you're thinking of is the Iraq War theme. That was an extended 2' version of the said TWT special music, which was indeed edited by the BBC. But the music itself was still by David Lowe.
Well perhaps the music I'm thinking of as actually the one year on stuff? Just the drums with no strings.. I know what you mean about the "standard" special/somber stuff of the time and that you are correct in saying is by David directly.
Ah yes, I know which you mean - the anniversary music used in 2002? Yes, I think that might have been an in-house job, as it used bits of the National News theme, as well as the BBC World countdown rumble. But, it's hard to tell one way or the other!
I also quite liked the updated special music in 2003, which was used for the capture of Saddam Hussein in December 2003. And of course, who could forget the wonderful BBC World sombre themes from 2000? They were only used very occasionally, but were fantastic nonetheless.
itsrobert
Founding member
From memory the 9/11 stuff wasn't by David directly but a mix made in house from some unused elements.
Well, yes and no. The special music used in the aftermath of 9/11 was exactly as composed by David Lowe himself. There was a special open and a 60" special close as part of the new The World Today package introduced in September 2001. The in-house music you're thinking of is the Iraq War theme. That was an extended 2' version of the said TWT special music, which was indeed edited by the BBC. But the music itself was still by David Lowe.
Well perhaps the music I'm thinking of as actually the one year on stuff? Just the drums with no strings.. I know what you mean about the "standard" special/somber stuff of the time and that you are correct in saying is by David directly.
Ah yes, I know which you mean - the anniversary music used in 2002? Yes, I think that might have been an in-house job, as it used bits of the National News theme, as well as the BBC World countdown rumble. But, it's hard to tell one way or the other!
I also quite liked the updated special music in 2003, which was used for the capture of Saddam Hussein in December 2003. And of course, who could forget the wonderful BBC World sombre themes from 2000? They were only used very occasionally, but were fantastic nonetheless.
SR
Hmm... I wasn't impressed with it... I'm also very suspicious that this was by David Lowe at all. Most likely it was produced in house from various elements the BBC already had with the AWFUL strings added on top.
Did not like.
Did not like.
NE
It was indeed a new piece composed by David Lowe. @Kaled10 confirmed it yesterday on twitter.
Hmm... I wasn't impressed with it... I'm also very suspicious that this was by David Lowe at all. Most likely it was produced in house from various elements the BBC already had with the AWFUL strings added on top.
Did not like.
Did not like.
It was indeed a new piece composed by David Lowe. @Kaled10 confirmed it yesterday on twitter.
IT
itsrobert
Founding member
Is anyone else starting to get the tiniest bit fed up with David Lowe's BBC News themes? I used to be a huge fan of his work but after 13 years and literally hundreds of versions, it's starting to get on my nerves. It keeps getting remixed, especially the countdown music, but they all sound so alike. It's nowhere near the difference between the 1999, 2003 and 2005 countdowns. I'm a bit disappointed that it appears his music is going to live on in Broadcasting House. I was quietly hoping the BBC would totally start from scratch, and I mean right back to the drawing board, to come up with brand new visual and musical styles. But from what we've seen of the new sets and now hearing that the music is carrying on, I get the feeling it's not going to happen.