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Transcendence

Tom Service considers musical transcendence. From Faure's sublime harmonies to the hypnotic drumming of shamans, what is it about some music that take us to a higher plane?

Tom Service considers how music can be transcendent. From Wagner's sublime harmonies in Tristan und Isolde, to the hypnotic drumming of shamans, what is it about some kinds of music that can take us to a higher plane? He considers music for contemplation (such as church music by Messiaen, and FaurΓ©'s Requiem); music for dancing to oblivion (the techno "Trance" genre, whirling dervishes); music evoking ecstasy (Scriabin, Gospel music); and he discusses the ancient practises of shamans in various cultures, with ethnomusicologist Keith Howard.
(Presented in front of a live audience)

Available now

32 minutes

Last on

Fri 11 Aug 2023 16:30
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Gabriel FaurΓ©

    Requiem - In Paradisum

    Performer: LSO. Performer: Tenebrae. Performer: Nigel Short.
    • FaurΓ© Requiem.
    • LSO Live.
    • LSO0728.

  • Trad.

    Turkish Dervishes - Naat

    • Dervishes of Turkey.
    • Playasound.
    • PS65120.

  • Alexander Scriabin

    Le Poème de l'Extase, Op.54

    Performer: Mariinsky Orchestra. Performer: Valery Gergiev.
    • Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring.
    • Philips.
    • 4680352 Β .

  • Wagner

    Tristan - Liebestod

    Performer: Nina Stemme. Performer: Orchestra of the ROH. Performer: Sir Antonio Pappano.
    • EMI.
    • 966864 2.

  • Hildegard von Bingen

    O vis aeternitatis

    Performer: Sequentia.
    • Hildegard von Bingen - Canticles of Ecstasy.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 05472773202.

  • Bach

    Crucifixus from B minor mass

    Performer: Collegium Vocale Gent.
    • Olympia.
    • OCD181.

  • John Tavener

    Protecting Veil

    Performer: Steven Isserlis. Performer: LSO. Performer: Gennady Nikolayevich Rozhdestvensky.
    • Virgin Classics.
    • VC7590522.

  • James MacMillan

    Seven Last Words - 6th mvt

    Performer: London Chamber Orchestra. Performer: James MacMillan.
    • Catalyst.
    • 09026681252.

  • Field Recording

    Siberian Jews Harp

  • Field Recording

    Nepalese drumming

  • Binary Finary

    1998

    Performer: Binary Finary.
    • 1998.
    • Orbit.
    • 017.

  • Lennon and McCartney

    Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

    Performer: The Beatles.
    • Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
    • Parlophone.

  • Terry Riley

    Persian Surgery Dervishes

    Performer: Terry Riley.
    • Persian Surgery Dervishes.
    • Newtone.
    • NT6715 Β .

  • Thomas AdΓ¨s

    Aslys - mvt 3: Ecstasio

    Performer: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
    • EMI.
    • CDC5568182.

  • Alexander Scriabin

    Preparation for the Final Mystery

    Performer: German Symphony Orchestra Berlin.
    • Preparation for the Final Mystery.
    • Decca.
    • 4663292.

  • Gabriel FaurΓ©

    Requiem - In Paradisum

    Performer: LSO. Performer: Tenebrae. Performer: Nigel Short.
    • FaurΓ© Requiem.
    • LSO Live.
    • LSO0728.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 17 Jul 2016 18:30
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
  • Fri 11 Aug 2023 16:30
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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