Catch up TV
André Previn: Who Needs a Conductor?
In this Omnibus film, Andre Previn asks the question, 'Who needs a conductor?'\n\n'Conducting,' said Leonard Bernstein, 'is the only profession in the world where you get paid for having a fit in public!'\n\nPrevin debunks many of the conventional myths that surround the subject, exposing the foibles, prejudices, insecurities and backstage dramas that the general public knows little of.\n\nThe London Symphony Orchestra, led by John Georgiadis, plays excerpts from some of the most popular pieces in the concert repertoire, including Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, Bartok's Dance Suite and Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony.
Source: BBC 4
Most recent episodes of Omnibus
Omnibus
Virginia Woolf: A Night's Darkness, A Day's Sail
A film that celebrates the lyricism of Virginia Woolf's writing and, through the memories of her friends and relations, paints a portrait of a dedicated artist and a unique comp ...
31-08-2025
BBC 4
Omnibus
Song Of Summer: Frederick Delius
Based on Eric Fenby's 1936 memoir Delius As I Knew Him, this film traces the last years of Frederick Delius and Fenby's dedication in giving up five years of his life to helping ...
17-08-2025
BBC 4
Omnibus
Oscar Peterson And Andre Previn
Oscar Peterson and conductor Andre Previn look at some of the styles and personalities involved in the development of piano jazz.
03-08-2025
BBC 4
Omnibus
Mario Vargas Llosa: The Story Of The Novelist Who Would Be President
Documentary, first broadcast in 1990, that follows Peruvian novelist Mario Vargas Llosa in his bid to become president of Peru. Filmed in London, Peru and Italy, this visual dia ...
15-07-2025
BBC 4
Omnibus
Blondie: Beneath The Bleach
A profile from 1999 of American band Blondie, telling the story of their remarkable rise, rapid decline and successful reunion. Featuring candid interviews with the band.
04-07-2025
BBC 4
Omnibus
Presumption: The Life Of Jane Austen
Programme exploring the reasons behind the enduring popularity of one of Britain's greatest novelists, Jane Austen.
28-06-2025
BBC 4
Omnibus
Sebastião Salgado: Looking Back At You
A documentary from 1993 that visits Brazil, India and Paris to explore the work of photojournalist Sebastião Salgado, who had been working for seven years on a huge proje ...
16-06-2025
BBC 4
Omnibus
Lucian Freud
For much of his career, Lucian Freud allowed his paintings to speak for themselves, but in 1988 he talked for the first time - to Omnibus - about his work and ambitions.\n\n'The ...
28-04-2025
BBC 4
Omnibus
Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story
Prizewinning account of how a classic recording was made. In September 1984, in a New York recording studio, West Side Story composer Leonard Bernstein conducted a complete perf ...
27-04-2025
BBC 4
Omnibus
Paul Simon
Paul Simon gives a rare interview to Mark Steyn and talks about his solo career, including the break with Art Garfunkel in 1970 and songs like Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyar ...
19-04-2025
BBC 4
Most popular episodes of Omnibus
Omnibus
Virginia Woolf: A Night's Darkness, A Day's Sail
A film that celebrates the lyricism of Virginia Woolf's writing and, through the memories of her friends and relations, paints a portrait of a dedicated artist and a unique comp ...
31-08-2025
BBC 4
Omnibus
Down These Mean Streets A Man Must Go: Raymond Chandler
A portrait of Raymond Chandler, creator of the Philip Marlowe mystery thrillers, by John Foster and Fred Burnley.\n\nThe film portrays Chandler's life and creative attitudes in ...
26-09-2024
BBC 4
Omnibus
The Last Journey Of John Keats
In 1820 John Keats was dying of tuberculosis. Friends and doctors suggested a trip to Italy for the better climate might save him. Andrew Motion retraces his extraordinary journey.
23-02-2021
BBC 4
Omnibus
Leonard Cohen - Songs From A Life
Portrait of Canadian singer, songwriter, poet and novelist Leonard Cohen, originally recorded in 1973. Featuring interviews, archive film and live performances from London, Pari ...
11-11-2016
BBC 4
Omnibus
Sunday In The Park With Stephen
Documentary that follows Stephen Sondheim, during his spell as visiting professor of drama at Oxford University, as he takes students through the creative process of writing a m ...
27-12-2021
BBC 4
Omnibus
Mario Vargas Llosa: The Story Of The Novelist Who Would Be President
Documentary, first broadcast in 1990, that follows Peruvian novelist Mario Vargas Llosa in his bid to become president of Peru. Filmed in London, Peru and Italy, this visual dia ...
15-07-2025
BBC 4
Omnibus
William Blake: Singing For England
An Omnibus documentary about visionary British artist and poet William Blake, who wrote Jerusalem and The Tyger, originally broadcast in 2000 to coincide with a major exhibition ...
14-02-2022
BBC 4
Omnibus
Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story
Prizewinning account of how a classic recording was made. In September 1984, in a New York recording studio, West Side Story composer Leonard Bernstein conducted a complete perf ...
27-04-2025
BBC 4
Omnibus
Lucian Freud
For much of his career, Lucian Freud allowed his paintings to speak for themselves, but in 1988 he talked for the first time - to Omnibus - about his work and ambitions.\n\n'The ...
28-04-2025
BBC 4
Omnibus
Elizabeth Taylor - England's Other Elizabeth
Profile of the British-born actress who went on to become one of Hollywood's most enduring stars and whose love affair with Richard Burton captured the public's imagination.
03-10-2024
BBC 4