Alan Tongue

AS TELEVISION PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

A personal selection from 150 programmes:

Derek Bell: One Man Band (1977) and Derek Bell’s Concert Party (1988)
Two programmes using visual effects to have this multi-instrumentalist playing together on Irish harps, concert harp, piano, tiompan, oboe, whistle, bodhran and double bass.


Suzanne Murphy at Ballywalter Park (1983)
A programme of opera, Ulster Orchestra, conductor Julian Smith. We took over Lord Dunleath’s house, Ballywalter Park, with the Ulster Orchestra in the drawing room accompanying Suzanne in the hall and staircase.
Caption: Suzanne Murphy with Michael McGuffin, Donal Lunny and crew

USSR Symphony Orchestra, Arvid Yansons,
Shostakovitch Festival Overture
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (Valery Klimov)
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6
I relayed many concerts from the Ulster Hall, including the Leipzig Gewandhaus, the Montreal Symphony, and lots with the Ulster Orchestra.

James Galway and The Chieftains
A film documentary and televised concert. I also made two series with the Chieftains, and several single programmes. My original programme brought together for the first time Derek Bell with the Chieftains.

James Johnston - Amongst the Greats (1987)
A film documentary of the great tenor. His recordings were all on 78s, so for TV I had to invent images to accompany the sound.

The Sea and The Garden of Fand
Film documentaries on Frank Bridge and Arnold Bax.
The Ulster Orchestra, Vernon Handley.

Percy French Remembered (1989)
A film about the Irish songwriter, entertainer, poet and painter, presented by his eldest daughter Ettie.

Barry Douglas, a series of five piano recitals

Star Brass
Four series of programmes with brass bands, instrumental and vocal soloists.