Sacred Music (TV series)

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Sacred Music is a documentary series broadcast on BBC Four and BBC Two from 2008. Presented by actor and former chorister Simon Russell Beale, it is produced in conjunction with The Open University and features performances and interviews by Harry Christophers and his choir, The Sixteen.

Contents

Regular episodes

Series 1

EpisodeTitleSummaryFirst Broadcast
1The Gothic RevolutionFilming locations included Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Basilica of Saint Denis, the Sainte-Chapelle, and Laon Cathedral.21 Mar 2008
2 Palestrina and the PopesThis episode was filmed on location in Italy (in Rome and Palestrina), and at St Peter's Italian Church, London and St Columba's Catholic Church, Glasgow.
28 Mar 2008
3Tallis, Byrd and the TudorsFilming locations included Waltham Abbey Church, Ingatestone Hall, Stondon Massey, St James's Palace, St Alfege Church, Greenwich, Winchester Cathedral and Lincoln Cathedral.4 Apr 2008
4Bach and the Lutheran LegacyThis episode was filmed on location in Eisenach, Germany and Rome, Italy, and at the Bach Church, Arnstadt, St. Mary's Church, Lübeck, St George's German Lutheran Church. [1] 11 Apr 2008

Series 2

EpisodeTitleSummaryFirst Broadcast
1Brahms and Bruckner12 Mar 2010
2Fauré and Poulenc19 Mar 2010
3Górecki and Pärt26 Mar 2010
4Searching Out the Sacred2 Apr 2010 [2]

Specials

TitleSummaryFirst Broadcast
An Easter CelebrationA 90-minute concert which was recorded at St Luke Old Street, containing music from the first series. [3] 23 Mar 2008
The Story of Allegri's MiserereA 30-minute episode, detailing the history and performance of the Miserere, and including a full performance. [4]
21 Dec 2008
Sacred Music at ChristmasA Christmas HistorySimon Russell Beale explores the history of Christmas music on location in Europe. [5] 24 Dec 2010
A Choral ChristmasA 30-minute concert of Christmas choral music, including some of the works featured in the preceding documentary. Recorded at St Augustine's, Kilburn [6]
God's ComposerCommemorating the 400th anniversary of the Spanish Renaissance composer Tomás Luis de Victoria's death. [7] 2 Dec 2011
Monteverdi in Mantua: The Genius of the VespersOn location in Italy, Simon Russell Beale examines the relationship between Vincenzo Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua and his court composer Claudio Monteverdi, exploring the world from which Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 was borne out. [8] 4 Apr 2015

Release and reception

Home media

Most episodes have been released on DVD under The Sixteen's own label, Coro. [9]

References

  1. "Series 1, Sacred Music - BBC Four". BBC.
  2. "Series 2, Sacred Music - BBC Four". BBC.
  3. "An Easter Celebration, Series 1, Sacred Music - BBC Four". BBC.
  4. "Sacred Music: The Story of Allegri's Miserere - BBC Four". BBC.
  5. "A Christmas History, Sacred Music at Christmas - BBC Four". BBC.
  6. "A Choral Christmas, Sacred Music at Christmas - BBC Four". BBC.
  7. "God's Composer - BBC Four". BBC.
  8. "Monteverdi in Mantua - the Genius of the Vespers - BBC Two". BBC.
  9. "DVDs". The Sixteen.