Early Music Show

A look at the origin of the 'Symphony'. We all know what is now called a Symphony, but the term has had many varied uses. Lucie Skeaping tracks down the origins of the word and its uses, encountering medieval hurdy-gurdys, spinets and virginals, and a tale that the dulcimer is as old as the Bible, not to mention a whole host of overtures, interludes, sonatas, canzonas and concertos. Broadcast as part of the BBC month long 'Celebration of the Symphony'.

Andrew Parrott of the Taverner Consort and Players talks about the complex process of reconstructions with Catherine Bott, including his most recent project, the reconstruction of JS Bach's Trauer-Music (Funeral Music). This work was composed in 1728 for Bach's patron, Prince Leopold of Cöthen who died suddenly at the age of 33, but the score has almost completely disappeared. Andrew talks to Catherine about how he reconstructed the piece from the various clues found in other of Bach's works.

King Dinis I of Portugal was a remarkable monarch, born in the year 1261, he ruled Portugal for 46 years during which time he consolidated both his country's economy and its frontiers, whilst limiting the powers of the aristocracy and resolving conflicts in the church. He was known for his wisdom, prudence and passion for justice, and not only was his court a refuge for poets and minstrels from all over the Iberian peninsula and beyond, he also joined them with his own poetry and music. Catherine Bott explores his life and musical legacy.

An exploration of Isabella d'Este's life and musical passions, one of the most important and influential women of the Italian Renaissance. Presented by Lucie Skeaping.

The “Wode Collection” or “St Andrew’s Psalter” is a hugely significant collection of part books offering a fascinating insight into Scottish music-making in the 16th Century. For the first time, in recent history, the parts books have been brought together for a special exhibition at Edinburgh University. Catherine Bott visits the exhibition and meets curator Dr Noel O'Regan. The collection was initially the work of Thomas Wode, a monk and cleric from St Andrews, who was commissioned to produce a series of harmonisations of psalm tunes for a protestant Scottish Psalter. Wode was more ambitious however, and he took it upon himself to gather as much of the music he then heard being played in Scotland, in the fear that otherwise the music of the nation might be lost to us for ever. Music featured in the programme is taken from a recent recording of items from the Wode Collection by the Dunedin Consort.

In 1593, Peter Philips, one of the great Tudor composers of keyboard music and vocal polyphony, found himself imprisoned in the Hague under allegations of being involved in a plot to kill Queen Elizabeth I. In the composer's 450th anniversary year, Lucie Skeaping explores his life and work, and speculates on the allegations against him.

Robert Johnson wrote the music and songs for many of the leading playwrights of his day, not least William Shakespeare. In 1611 Johnson famously created the music for The Tempest. Lucie Skeaping looks back on the career and music of the great 17th century lutenist and reflects on how he might have had an even greater collaborative influence on Shakespeare’s late plays than he’s credited with.

Often remembered only as "the mad King", George III and his Queen Consort were passionate supporters of the arts and both loved music. In the second of two programmes, Catherine Bott continues her virtual tour of London, tracing the legacy of George's artistic patronage through his reign. Featuring music from Handel, Purcell and Steffani.

King George III is widely remembered as the British monarch who suffered a temporary, debilitating period of "madness" as depicted in the play and film by Alan Bennett, "The Madness of King George", but he was also a highly cultured man; he and his Queen Consort were passionate supporters of the arts and both loved music. In the first of two programmes, Catherine Bott begins a virtual tour of London to trace the legacy of George's artistic patronage through his reign. Featuring music from Handel, JC Bach and Mozart.

On the 300th anniversary of William Boyce's birth, Lucie Skeaping and Jeremy Barlow explore some of the places in London where he lived and worked. Their journey takes them from a church in central London where he had his first job, to the public gardens in south London where his music was enjoyed by many.

Gustav Leonhardt is one of the most important figures in the Early Music movement. A keyboard player, conductor, musicologist, teacher and editor, his approach to Early Music performance has helped to define what period performance is today. Catherine Bott talks to Leonhardt about his life in music, his great love of Bach and some of his ideas about performing early music.

The history of the Collegium Musicum, the form of convivial amateur music making in Germany, which featured such illustrious directors as Telemann and Bach and paved the way for the first public concert series. Introduced by Catherine Bott.

Lucie Skeaping looks at Vivaldi's ground-breaking Op.3 set of concertos for one, two or four violins, entitled "L'Estro Armonico", which appeared in the early 1700s. Vivaldi had them published in Amsterdam, which meant they were readily available throughout northern Europe. The 8 part-books even landed on the desk of JS Bach, who found them so inspirational he set about making transcriptions of some of them for keyboard instruments. Lucie looks back on the history of the set and ponders the collection’s unusual name.

Giulio Caccini was one of the most successful composers and renowned singers of his age. But lesser known are his two daughters, Francesca and Settimia Caccini. Both women were highly accomplished performers in their own right, and composers as well, and they both rose to become the highest paid members of their respective courts. Francesca also holds another claim to fame, as the first ever female composer of an opera, and she has been lauded as the most important female composer between the 11th Century Hildegard of Bingen and the 19th Century. Lucie Skeaping investigates the lives of these two extraordinary women.

The Jacobean prodigy, Orlando Gibbons was listed as one of the Canadian pianist, Glenn Gould's, favourite composers. Should we be surprised? - the range and variety of Gibbons' remarkably accomplished output continues to inspire musicians from many different musical disciplines. Lucie Skeaping looks back on Gibbons' life and music.