Close Harmony
Tom Service explores the world of close harmony and barbershop singing.
From Corsican polyphony to Jacob Collier, 50s rock and roll and global hit TV series Glee, close harmony runs through music traditions around the world: but nowhere is it more important than in barbershop, famous for its striped waistcoats, bow ties, and comedy parodies. But today over 70,000 singers of all ages and genders participate in barbershop societies around the world, coming together to compete and perform in quartets and larger choruses, enjoying its exuberant and expressive performance style, and revelling in its magical 'overtones'.
With Brian Lynch from the Barbershop Harmony Society in Nashville and members of the ±«Óătv Singers, Tom explores what makes it so unique, from its vocal setting to its use of 'just intonation', and discovers the roots of its history, far from the exclusive Ivy League world it's thought to represent.
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Music Played
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Trad.
Makruli
Performer: The Tsinandali Choir.- Real World Records.
- CDRW28.
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The Everly Brothers
Be Bop A Lula
- ACE.
- CDCHM-544.
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The Andrews Sisters
I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time
- Music Club.
- MCCD-199.
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Gladys Knight & the Pips
Best thing that ever happened to me
- Warner Music UK.
- 95483-3840 2.
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Morten Lauridsen
6 Madrigali - 'Fire songs' on Italian Renaissance poems for chorus
Conductor: Nicol Matt. Performer: Chamber Choir of Europe.- Bayer Records.
- BR 100 305.
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Paul Simon
The Sound Of Silence
Performer: Simon & Garfunkel.- Sony.
- 20141.
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Jacob Collier
In My Room
- Q West / Membran.
- promo.
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Stefan Moutafchiev
Sekoi Fali
Performer: Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir.- Fontana.
- 5158922.
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Igor Stravinsky
Ave Maria for chorus rev. [1949] from "Bogoroditse devo"
Performer: The King’s Singers.- rca.
- 09026 68255 2.
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Barbershop Harmony Society
The Sound of Music
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Benj Pasek / Justin Paul
Medley From The Greatest Showman
Performer: Barbershop Harmony Society. -
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Hoyt S. Curtin
The Flintstones Theme Tune
Composer: Joseph Barbera. Composer: William Hannah. Performer: Jacob Collier. -
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Traditional
Chakrulo
Performer: Rustavi Choir.- Elektra Nonesuch.
- 7559-792242.
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Claudio Monteverdi
Lamento della ninfa
Performer: Concerto Italiano.- Brilliant Classics.
- 99710.
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The Everly Brothers
Bye Bye Love
- Acuff-Rose Opryland.
- AROMG CD-50 01.
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Jason Robert Brown
The Next Ten Minutes
Performer: Barbershop Harmony Society. -
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Glenn Tilbrook
Evaline
Composer: Stephen Large. Performer: ±«Óătv Singers. -
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Giuseppe Verdi
La Traviata - opera in 3 acts
Performer: Voce di Corsica.- ovi.
- OVI 45204.
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The Treblemakers
Don't Stop The Music
- Universal.
- 0602537159710.
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John Fogerty
Proud Mary
Performer: Elio Pace. -
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John Fogerty
Proud Mary
Performer: Barbershop Harmony Society.
Broadcasts
- Sun 29 Mar 2020 17:00±«Óătv Radio 3
- Fri 3 Apr 2020 16:30±«Óătv Radio 3
- Sun 6 Feb 2022 17:00±«Óătv Radio 3
- Fri 11 Feb 2022 16:30±«Óătv Radio 3
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The Listening Service
An odyssey through the musical universe, presented by Tom Service
