Lenfilm Holmes theme

[mightymads]

Here’s an excerpt from an interview with Vladimir Dashkevich, the composer who wrote the theme for the Soviet Sherlock Holmes:

“The screenplay was excellent. A story of friendship between two completely different people was wonderfully written, and it enthralled me. But it was still a very long way to music. I thought it would take quite a lot of time to shoot the film and then they would show it to me. I was in Moscow and suddenly Igor Maslennikov calls me from Leningrad, saying, “You know, I've listened to a BBC cultural programme theme and I think we need something like this for our Sherlock Holmes project.” It was a Saturday morning, when Igor wasn't busy with his film directing duties, and the programme had been broadcasted on Friday evening. A week passed, and of course I forgot to listen to that programme, and the next Saturday he called me again. I say, “I forgot to listen.” He says, “Please make sure you will.” Another week passed. I forgot again, and he called me again. I could hear that he was already getting annoyed. I promised to listen the next time and forgot again. And Maslennikov told me every time, “This is Britain, the Empire, with a gentlemanly spirit and irony, and power, and optimism, and nobility.” Every time he was saying this to me. Finally, when I forgot again and he called again, I became desperate, brought my phone to the piano, and played him the first thing which came to mind. This became the Sherlock Holmes theme Igor Maslennikov was talking about. As a wise man he told me, “Vladimir, don't leave it hanging in the air, take a pencil and jot it down at once because you'll forget.” Well, I have no memory problems, but anyway, but I wrote it down because the director is the boss and you should do what he says. I was happy that I didn't have to listen to that BBC theme anymore, so I still don't know what it is like.”

I tried to find that BBC theme, and the one which starts at 1:06 seems to fit Maslennikov’s description:

Watch on YouTube

Comments

[smallhobbit]

If it is it's 'Lillibulero' and you can find further details here: BBC World Service

[mightymads]

Thanks so much for the link! It’s fascinating to learn the origins of the BBC World Service theme :)

[luthienberen]

Ooo interesting! It is odd in a way because the theme music to me in the Lenfilm films feels so Russian /Eastern European perhaps because a lot of the series had elements I recognise from Poland (glass tea cups! the buildings etc).

Loved the link to the BBC World service, great glimpse into the past.

Thanks for sharing.🙂

[mightymads]

It is Eastern European since Dashkevich didn’t get to listen to the BBC theme XD Agreed, there are so many non-English elements in Lenfilm Holmes. One of the things which drew me into Granada was authenticity. They are the real Englishmen whereas Lenfilm is Russian, and even the creators of the Lenfilm Holmes admitted that it was a conscious play-pretend when they tried to channel “Englishness”.

Perhaps I’ve already told you that it was difficult for me at first to get into Granada and accept Jeremy’s Holmes after growing up watching Lenfilm. They are so different!

[luthienberen]

I do like the play-pretend of the Lenfilm episodes! What a fantastic term! In many ways it is a slice of familiarity and loveable for its peculiarities. My family love that about the Whitehead adaptation filmed in Poland. We recognise a lot of the Polish background elements used, not simply buildings (notably in the Rigby episode where the building bears WWII bullet holes or the rather Polish cemetery...which I have visited), but even the plants used.

Poles would have ferns in their house or garden, but I have yet to see ferns or an overabundance of greenery in position as houseplants in Britain (not impossible I suppose, but nothing I've observed in friends' houses or television though I am probablythe wrong person to declare that with finality ha).

Yes, I recall you saying how difficult it was for you to get into Jeremy's Holmes initially. I can well understand. Both Livanov & Jeremy's Holmes are superb, but different. :)

Granada's authenticity is beautiful! I love them both like you, and I am so happy I stumbled upon the Lenfilm adaptation. Livanov and Jeremy's Holmes are delights to watch. Granada as you say, offers the real English man, while for me the Lenfilm grants something I can relate to in the glass tea cup or other play-pretend; same as Whitehead though to a lesser extent (and solely with the background elements).

[mightymads]

The details about the Whitehead Holmes are fascinating, about its locations and set, a whole cultural layer which someone without the background knowledge would miss (like me). Thank you for sharing this!