Simon Russell Beale
Sacred Music (2008)
Season 1
Actor and former chorister Simon Russell Beale explores the flowering of Western sacred music
Released March 21, 2008
Episode 42 min
None+
Genres: Documentary
Country: United Kingdom
Languages:
English
S1E1 - The Gothic Revolution
Simon Russell Beale begins his journey at Notre Dame in Paris, where an enigmatic medieval music manuscript provides the key to the early development of polyphony - music of 'many voices'. Featuring music performed by members of the award-winning choir The Sixteen, conducted by Harry Christophers.
March 21, 2008, midnight
S1E2 - Palestrina and the Popes
Simon Russell Beale uncovers the links between the papal intrigues of Renaissance Rome and the music of the enigmatic Palestrina, whose work is considered by many to be unsurpassed in its spiritual perfection. The art and architecture of the Italian High Renaissance are accompanied by a performance from the award-winning choir The Sixteen, conducted by founder Harry Christophers.
March 28, 2008, midnight
S1E3 - Tallis, Byrd and the Tudors
Beale takes us back to Tudor England, a country in turmoil as monarchs change the national religion and Roman Catholicism is driven underground. In telling the story of Thomas Tallis and William Byrd, two composers at the centre of England's own musical Renaissance, Beale visits parish churches, great cathedrals and a private home where Catholic music would have been performed in secret.
April 4, 2008, midnight
S1E4 - Bach and the Lutheran Legacy
With music performed by The Sixteen, conducted by Harry Christophers, Beale explores how Martin Luther, himself a composer, had a profound effect on the development of sacred music, re-defining the role of congregational singing and the use of the organ in services. Ultimately, these reforms would shape the world of JS Bach and inspire him to write some of the greatest sacred music.
April 11, 2008, midnight
Episode Runtime: 42 min.
Season Runtime: 50 min.
Released: March 21, 2008
Last Air Date: April 2, 2010, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: NR
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