Battle For Music

2972. BATTLE FOR MUSIC (1943-England). With J.B. PRIESTLEY, JACK HYLTON. This stirring drama relates the story of the London Philharmonic Orchestra as told and played by its members. It opens at London’s Covent Garden Opera House in 1939. Here, a rapt audience momentarily forgets the fact that Europe is about to be plunged into battle as it immerses itself in the magic of music during the last night of a brilliant opera season. In a split second, England and Nazi Germany are at war. The government decrees that for the safely of its people all public gatherings are to be banned. As a result, the orchestra must be disbanded. What will be the fate of the Philharmonic? What will happen to its musicians, who have devoted their lives to their art and have formed what they believe is a cohesive unit? At this point in time, no one knows the outcome of the hostilities. Will orchestral music be forever finished in England? The manner in which the various interested parties come together to maintain the orchestra in spite of the conflicts and crises which surround them makes for a memorable drama. While a special treat for music aficionados, you do not have to love the classics to be taken in by its point of view that politics and world events (however very real) must not get in the way of the creation and enjoyment of art. A most unusual film, unique in fact. Recommended. 75 minutes. Musical War Drama