Baritone James Newby reacts to the making of his music video

Описание: With credit to Grant Gee, the filmmaker behind the Radiohead concept for No Surprises.

We made a music video of Handel's 'Cara Pianta' from Apollo e Dafne, inspired by Radiohead's iconic 'No Surprises' film.

Watch James Newby's music video:
   • Handel ‘Cara pianta’ from Apollo e Dafne |...  

Watch the original video by Radiohead:
   • Radiohead - No Surprises  

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'No Surprises’ by Radiohead is an iconic music video. In it we see frontman Thom Yorke submerged underwater for a nail-bitingly long length of time, musing on the banality of life.

“That looks dangerous,” we thought.
“Let’s do that…but with Handel.”

In our latest digital adventure, we play with expectations of genre in this remake of Radiohead’s 'No Surprises' with Handel’s ‘Cara pianta’ from Apollo e Dafne. The breathtaking underwater feat is taken on by baritone James Newby, who is an alumnus of the OAE’s Rising Stars of the Enlightenment singers’ scheme.

Why are we doing this?
We to explore the effect of taking one of the biggest cultural influences of the 90s, Radiohead and combining them with one of the biggest cultural phenomena of the 1700s, Handel. To celebrate the enduring power of music, whatever the age.

What is the link between the pieces?
‘Cara pianta’ is the final setting in the story of a narcissist, Apollo, who expresses unrequited love for a woman, Dafne. After being chased by Apollo, Dafne cries for help and is transformed into a laurel bush to escape Apollo’s advances. Seeing this, Apollo breaks down with grief.

Radiohead’s 'No Surprises' is similarly tinged with sorrow as the singer contemplates the banality of life. When we see the water levels rise around him, we feel the visceral sense of claustrophobia, of grief and loss; and the release from it is a baptism into a new life of wise manhood.”

If music is good, it’s good regardless of its genre.
Love Radiohead. Love Handel. Love Music.

This film was made possible by the generous support of Gramophone.
Save 25% on gift subscriptions to Gramophone magazine:
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View the programme for more behind the scenes insights:
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