Between 2008 and 2012, British filmmaker John Bridcut produced a series of remarkably revealing composer portraits for the BBC. This is their first release on DVD and my word they are impressive, not just for their intelligent structure and insightful use of music, but also for the beautifully chosen visuals and powerful, non-gimmicky editing.

The films examine important aspects of three greats: Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Delius. Thanks to the director’s sure hand, there is a commonality of approach, in particular the unusual way ‘experts’ are shown listening to the music – a technique known as ‘commplay’. Far from being documentary suicide, the palpability of emotions thus gently probed proves immensely powerful – prepare to shed tears!

The Passions of Vaughan Williams (2008) won the Prix d’Argent and views the composer through a metropolitan lens to reveal a touchy-feely Londoner with not a cowpat in sight. And although we get somewhat salacious details about the aging RVW romancing his...