Sacred Music

Season 1

2008 · 4 episodes · 3h 56m in all

Episodes

1. 

   1. The Gothic Revolution

   21 Mar 2008 · 59 min

   Simon Russell Beale begins his journey at Notre Dame in Paris, where an enigmatic medieval music manuscript provides the key to the early development of polyphony - music of 'many voices'. Featuring music performed by members of the award-winning choir The Sixteen, conducted by Harry Christophers.

2. 

   2. Palestrina and the Popes

   28 Mar 2008 · 59 min

   Simon Russell Beale uncovers the links between the papal intrigues of Renaissance Rome and the music of the enigmatic Palestrina, whose work is considered by many to be unsurpassed in its spiritual perfection. The art and architecture of the Italian High Renaissance are accompanied by a performance from the award-winning choir The Sixteen, conducted by founder Harry Christophers.

3. 

   3. Tallis, Byrd and the Tudors

   4 Apr 2008 · 59 min

   Beale takes us back to Tudor England, a country in turmoil as monarchs change the national religion and Roman Catholicism is driven underground. In telling the story of Thomas Tallis and William Byrd, two composers at the centre of England's own musical Renaissance, Beale visits parish churches, great cathedrals and a private home where Catholic music would have been performed in secret.

4. 

   4. Bach and the Lutheran Legacy

   11 Apr 2008 · 59 min

   With music performed by The Sixteen, conducted by Harry Christophers, Beale explores how Martin Luther, himself a composer, had a profound effect on the development of sacred music, re-defining the role of congregational singing and the use of the organ in services. Ultimately, these reforms would shape the world of JS Bach and inspire him to write some of the greatest sacred music.