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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.

Regular episodes

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Series 1

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Episode Title Summary First Broadcast
1 The Gothic Revolution Filming locations included Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Basilica of Saint Denis, the Sainte-Chapelle, and Laon Cathedral. 21 Mar 2008
2 Palestrina and the Popes This 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
3 Tallis, Byrd and the Tudors Filming 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
4 Bach and the Lutheran Legacy This 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

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Episode Title Summary First Broadcast
1 Brahms and Bruckner 12 Mar 2010
2 Fauré and Poulenc 19 Mar 2010
3 Górecki and Pärt 26 Mar 2010
4 Searching Out the Sacred 2 Apr 2010[2]

Specials

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Title Summary First Broadcast
An Easter Celebration A 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 Miserere A 30-minute episode, detailing the history and performance of the Miserere, and including a full performance.[4]
21 Dec 2008
Sacred Music at Christmas A Christmas History Simon Russell Beale explores the history of Christmas music on location in Europe.[5] 24 Dec 2010
A Choral Christmas A 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 Composer Commemorating 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 Vespers On 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

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Home Media

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

References

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  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.
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