Composer of the Week - Ernest John Moeran (1894-1950) - 'Old Raspberry' Goes off the Rails

"Old Raspberry", commonly known as Jack Moeran, was a pioneer in the collecting of British folk music - as a composer he was greatly inspired by nature - and was involved in many tales of nudity, drunkenness and reckless driving that originated from his time living with Peter Warlock. Jack Moeran lived at Eynsford for a period with Peter Warlock, and many other highly eccentric characters such as Hal the Maori housekeeper, whose mother was supposedly a cannibal. Originating from Eynsford were many scandalous stories, including drunkenness and debauchery. It was with the help of Warlock in the nearby Five Bells pub, that Moeran composed the rousing drinking song Maltworms. Donald Macleod surveys the other attendees of the shenanigans at Eynsford, including Arnold Bax, Constant Lambert, William Walton, Elizabeth Poston, and Augustus John. This programme includes an interview with Moeran from 1947, discussing his view of modern music.