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Revolutions

Episode 2 of 4

In the 17th century, religious conflict threatened not only the lives of musicians and monarchs, but the monarchy's future and the tradition of British music itself.

Dr David Starkey's exploration of how the monarchy shaped Britain's music reaches the 17th century, when religious conflict threatened not only the lives of musicians and monarchs, but the future of the monarchy and the glorious tradition of British music itself. And yet, in the midst of this upheaval, royalty presided over a series of musical breakthroughs - from the first chamber concerts and proto-operas, to the triumphant debut of the baroque orchestra.

Westminster Abbey choir sing some of the earliest surviving music to be heard at British coronations; the Band of the Life Guards play pieces which Charles I used in battle, which marched James II out of his kingdom, and which mourned Mary II; and the Academy of Ancient Music perform some of the glorious works of arguably the greatest English composer - Henry Purcell. Also featured are works by Orlando Gibbons, Thomas Tomkins and the little-known William Lawes - a composer who had the potential to be truly great, had he not died fighting for the king in the English Civil War.

David also visits the Whitehall Banqueting House, home of the extravagant form which was the forerunner of opera in England - the court masque. And he explores how music was fought over by Puritans and Royalists - with the church organ proving a surprisingly bitter source of conflict.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 2 Jul 2018 00:40
±«Óătv Four

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See all episodes from David Starkey's Music and Monarchy

Clips

See all clips from Revolutions (7)

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Henry Purcell

    Come ye sons of art - Overture

    Performer: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Richard Egarr.

  • Orlando Gibbons

    Galliard

    Performer: Concordia.

  • Orlando Gibbons

    O clap your hands together

    Performer: Alamire. Performer: Eton College Choir trebles. Conductor: Dr David Skinner.

  • Orlando Gibbons

    Fantasia in 6 Parts no. 33

    Performer: Fretwork.

  • Thomas Tomkins

    O Lord, grant the King a long life

    Performer: Choir of Westminster Abbey. Conductor: James O'Donnell.

  • Thomas Tomkins

    Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom

    Performer: Oxford Camerata. Conductor: Jeremy Summerly.

  • Thomas Tomkins

    Organ Voluntary

    Performer: Carleton Etherington.

  • Simon Ives

    The fancy

    Performer: The Parley of Instruments. Conductor: Peter Holman.

  • William Lawes

    The Triumph of Peace - Think not I could absent myself

    Performer: Grace Davidson. Performer: Simon Wall. Performer: David Miller.

  • Simon Ives

    Suite in C Major - Bulstrode Whitelocke's Coranto

    Performer: The Parley of Instruments. Conductor: Peter Holman.

  • William Lawes

    Consort sett a 6 in C minor: 1 Fantazia

    Performer: Fretwork.

  • Anon.

    English March

    Performer: The Band of the Lifeguards.

  • Thomas Tomkins

    Pavan and Galliard - "Lord Strafford"

    Performer: Timothy Roberts.

  • Thomas Tomkins

    A Sad Pavan for these distracted times

    Performer: David Goode.

  • Anon.

    When the King enjoys his own again

    Performer: The Band of the Lifeguards.

  • Henry Lawes

    Zadok the Priest

    Performer: Choir of Westminster Abbey. Conductor: James O’Donnell.

  • William Child

    O Lord grant the King a long life

    Performer: Choir of Westminster Abbey. Conductor: James O’Donnell.

  • Pelham Humfrey

    Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in E Minor - Magnificat

    Performer: Alamire. Performer: Eton College Choir trebles. Conductor: David Skinner.

  • Jean‐Baptiste Lully

    Intermedes de Xerxes – Air pour les Esclaves dansans

    Performer: Aradia Baroque Ensemble. Conductor: Kevin Mallon.

  • Henry Purcell

    Rejoice in the Lord alway

    Performer: William Purefoy. Performer: Julian Forbes. Performer: Ashley Riches. Performer: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Richard Egarr.

  • Henry Purcell

    Old Hundredth

    Performer: Elin Manahan Thomas. Performer: William Purefoy. Performer: Julian Forbes. Performer: Ashley Riches. Performer: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Richard Egarr.

  • Henry Purcell

    My heart is Inditing

    Performer: Choir of Westminster Abbey. Conductor: James O’Donnell.

  • Henry Purcell

    Praise the Lord O Jerusalem

    Performer: Choir of Westminster Abbey. Conductor: James O’Donnell.

  • Henry Purcell

    Come, ye sons of art - Come, ye sons of art, come away

    Performer: Monteverdi Orchestra. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner.

  • Henry Purcell

    The Fairy Queen - Symphony

    Performer: Orchestra of The Sixteen. Conductor: Harry Christophers.

  • Henry Purcell

    Arise my muse - Overture

    Performer: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Richard Egarr.

  • Henry Purcell

    King Arthur - How happy the lover

    Performer: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Richard Egarr.

  • Henry Purcell

    Funeral Sentences for the death of Queen Mary - March

    Performer: The Band of the Lifeguards. Conductor: Major Paul Wilman.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Giulio Cesare - Al lampo dell'armi

    Performer: Tim Mead. Performer: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Richard Egarr.

Credits

Presenter David Starkey
Producer Peter Sweasey
Director Peter Sweasey
Executive Producer Nicolas Kent

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