Just What Is It About Black Beauty?

[Dusky]

The theme from Black Beauty ("Galloping Home" by Denis King) is widely heralded as one of the finest TV theme tunes ever and rightly so.  Most people of a certain age can hum it at no more than a moment's thought, despite the fact that the series hasn't been shown for years but why does it actually move people to tears?  I sit here even now dripping into my keyboard (alright, I may have had a couple but it chokes me at the best of times) and I've recently encountered someone not even nearly old enough to have heard of it in context who says it genuinely moves him emotionally.  Somebody else my age recently asked me to stop absently humming it because he can't bear even to hear it.  Now, I'm a thirty-six year old bloke and I can't believe it all revolves around fantasies about Stacey Dorning so exactly what is it?

Listen here: http://www.sterlingtimes.org/music_themes01.htm

I'd be especially interested to hear the views of those hearing it for the first time.  Does it work out of context?

[B00]

ooooooooo I love this tune, always have. It actually makes the hairs on back of my neck stand up!

[paddy_36]

I used to sob my heart out listening to this, and even now it brings a tear or two to my eye. I didn't even like the programme particularly. It must be the most upsetting theme tune ever. (A close second was the end of Camberwick Green when the featured character used to go back down into the musical box, but that only works in context I think!)

[Minimatronic]

Well, it's the first time i've heard the official Black Beauty theme as heard on tv.  i've played it unaccompanied on the baritone (brass instrument) before, and i always found it hugely elegant and strong, very powerful, very emotive.

the tv theme though...possibly because of my experience with the baritone, i find it too much, and a little fussy.  however, it is one of those pieces of music in which the depth of emotion of the composer is tangible, so it's still affecting.

so yes, it does work out of context, imo!  my knowledge of black beauty (at 16 years old) is limited to it's about a horse, presumably a horse that's black.  it doesn't exactly move me to tears, but i can understand why it could.

[Dusky]

Thanks, all, for answers so far.

BOO, do you remember the series or does the music alone do it for you?

Paddy, I'm a huge fan of all things Trumptonshire but I think you might be on your own on this score. However, I found a link to the music box music at work a while ago and people wandered across to find out what it was; maybe there's a bit of the same in that...of course, I can't find the link now...

Minimatronic, wonderfully put.

I look forward to hearing any other views.