Sacred Music

Synopsis

Four-part documentary series in which actor and former chorister Simon Russell Beale explores the flowering of Western sacred music. Featuring music performed by members of the award-winning choir The Sixteen, conducted by Harry Christophers. Programme 1 - THE GOTHIC REVOLUTION.: the journey begins at Notre Dame in Paris, where an enigmatic medieval music manuscript provides the key to the early development of polyphony - music of ‘many voices’. Programme 2 - AN EASTER CELEBRATION: a special concert for Easter from LSO St Luke’s in London. The music takes us on a journey of over a thousand years, from haunting plainchant through to the celebrated music of JS Bach. Highlights include Palestrina’s motet Assumpta Est Maria, and Allegri’s Miserere. Programme 3 - PALESTRINA AND THE POPES: Uncovers 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 The Sixteen; Programme 4 - Bach and the Lutheran Legacy: 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.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

2010

Year of production

2008

Notes

Broadcast in four weekly parts beginning 21/3/2008 on BBC4

Subjects

Music

Keywords

Bach, Johann Sebastian (1635-1750); religious music; Renaissance; Palestrina

Credits

Contributor

Simon Russell Beale

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 2 PAL

Price

£24.99

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

330 minutes

Year

2011

Production Company

Name

BBC Television

Distributor

 

Available from retail outlets

Name

Select Music and Video Distribution limited

Email

cds@selectmusic.co.uk

Web

http://www.selectmusic.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

017 37 64 56 00

Fax

017 37 644065

Address

3 Wells Place
Redhill
Surrey
RH13DR

Notes

Handles distribution for TDK in the UK.