One Pair of Eyes — Season 1, Episode 56: Sir Michael Tippett: Poets in a Barren Age

Episode synopsis

What useful purpose is served by the creative artist in society? In a harsh world where millions starve, do poems or paintings or symphonies have any relation to events which actually affect men's lives? In this film Sir Michael Tippett, one of Britain's most eminent composers, examines the changing relationship between the artist and society. Looking at contemporary life with its mixture of humanity and violence, he suggests that we are living at a time in which there is growing hunger for the satisfaction of the inner world to which the artist speaks.

About One Pair of Eyes

A monthly series of highly personal documentary films in which individuals are given a platform to discuss issues close to their heart.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1James Cameron: Temporary Person Passing Through
• E2Dr Alex Comfort: A Traveller in the Dreamtime
• E3Anthony Howard: A City of Magnificent Intentions
• E4Nicholas Tomalin: No Worse Heresy
• E5James Cameron: The Road to Kingdom Come
• E6Jo Grimond: The Dead Hand of Democracy
• E7Peter Wilson: You've Got to Win
• E8Norman Parkinson: Stay Baby Stay
• E9Sir Tyrone Guthrie: Off to Philadelphia
• E10James Cameron: Berlin - The Haunted House
• E11Margaret Drabble: A Place Called Exile
• E12Claud Cockburn: One More River To Cross