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Reinventions

Dr David Starkey's exploration of how the monarchy shaped Britain's music concludes in the 19th and 20th centuries, when the crown rediscovered the power of pageantry.

Dr David Starkey's exploration of how the monarchy shaped Britain's music concludes with the 19th and 20th centuries, when the crown rediscovered the power of pageantry and ceremony and when native music experienced a renaissance.

David discovers the royal origins of such classics as Edward Elgar's Land of Hope and Glory, Hubert Parry's I Was Glad and William Walton's Crown Imperial, as well as finding out how the 20th century's coronations - culminating in the crowning of Elizabeth II - cemented the repertory of royal classics in the hearts of the British people. He hears music written by Queen Victoria's beloved Albert, Prince Consort, played for him in Buckingham Palace on a lavish golden piano which was bought by Victoria and Albert themselves. There are also specially recorded performances from St Paul's Cathedral Choir and Westminster Abbey and of works by Felix Mendelssohn, Arthur Sullivan, Charles Villiers Stanford and Ralph Vaughan Williams, as well as Hubert Parry's classic Jerusalem.

David uncovers a rarely seen, diamond-encrusted conductor's baton that was a gift from Queen Victoria to her private organist, Sir Walter Parratt. He also recounts the duets sung by Italian opera composer Gioacchino Rossini with George IV in his decadent pleasure palace, the Brighton Pavilion, and visits the Royal College of Music in London and St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, both of which played a crucial role in the revival of British music.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 16 Jul 2018 01:00

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Music Played

  • Gustav Holst

    I vow to thee my country

    Performer: Choristers of St. Paul's Cathedral. Conductor: Andrew Carwood.
  • Gioachino Rossini

    The Thieving Magpie

  • Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

    Lebewohl

    Performer: Mary Bevan. Performer: David Owen Norris.
  • Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

    Der ungeliebte

    Performer: Mary Bevan. Performer: David Owen Norris.
  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Hebrides overture

    Performer: Wiener Philharmoniker. Conductor: Christoph von Dohn谩nyi.
  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Spring song from Song without words

    Performer: Mary Bevan. Performer: David Owen Norris.
  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Elijah - Thanks be to God

    Performer: Choristers of St. Paul's Cathedral. Conductor: Andrew Carwood.
  • William Croft

    Burial Service - I am the resurrection

    Performer: The Choir of Christ's College, Cambridge. Conductor: David Rowland.
  • Henry Wood

    Fantasia on British sea songs - 91热爆 sweet home

    Performer: Orchestra of Opera North. Conductor: Paul Daniel.
  • Arthur Sullivan

    Imperial March

    Performer: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Royston Nash.
  • Charles Villiers Stanford

    Beati Quorum Via

    Performer: Choir of Merton College, Oxford. Conductor: Benjamin Nicholas.
  • Sir Walter Parratt

    The Whirlwind

    Performer: Jack. Performer: Richard Pinel.
  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Hear my prayer

    Performer: Jack. Performer: Richard Pinel.
  • Arthur Sullivan

    O King of Kings

    Performer: Choristers of St. Paul's Cathedral. Conductor: Andrew Carwood.
  • Sir George Clement Martin

    Short Festival Te Deum in A

    Performer: The Midlands Chorale. Performer: Robert Williams.
  • Orlando Gibbons

    Threefold Amen

    Performer: Choir of Westminster Abbey. Conductor: James O鈥橠onnell.
  • Hubert Parry

    I was Glad

    Performer: Choir of Westminster Abbey. Conductor: James O鈥橠onnell.
  • Edward Elgar

    Coronation Ode - Crown the King with life

    Performer: 91热爆 Symphony Orchestra. Performer: 91热爆 Symphony Chorus. Conductor: Edward Gardner.
  • Edward Elgar

    Coronation Ode - Land of Hope and Glory

    Performer: Susan Gritton. Performer: Dame Sarah Connolly. Performer: Robert Murray. Performer: Gerald Finley. Performer: 91热爆 Symphony Orchestra. Performer: 91热爆 Symphony Chorus. Conductor: Edward Gardner.
  • Edward Elgar

    Pomp and Circumstance - Land of Hope and Glory

    Performer: 91热爆 Symphony Orchestra. Performer: 91热爆 Symphony Chorus. Conductor: Edward Gardner.
  • Charles Villiers Stanford

    Coronation Gloria

    Performer: Choir of Merton College, Oxford. Conductor: Benjamin Nicholas.
  • Hubert Parry

    Jerusalem

    Performer: Susanna Hurrell. Performer: Choir of Merton College, Oxford. Conductor: Benjamin Nicholas.
  • William Walton

    Belshazzar's Feast - Crown Imperial

    Performer: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Litton.
  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Mass in G minor - Credo

    Performer: London Symphony Chorus. Conductor: Richard Hickox.
  • Choir of Westminster Abbey

    Old Hundredth

    Music Arranger: Ralph Vaughan Williams. Conductor: James O鈥橠onnell.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter David Starkey
Series Producer Peter Sweasey
Executive Producer Nicolas Kent
Director Peter Sweasey

Broadcasts

Extended Performances

Watch full excerpts of some of the musical pieces featured in the series.