Main content

English Music

Is there a set of rules that makes English music sound English? Do you have to be English to appreciate it? And do you have to be English to be able to write it?

Does English music have a formula? Think of the stirring 'nobilmente' tunes of Elgar and those melodies and harmonies of Vaughan Williams and Holst which have become inextricably linked with the very notion of Englishness. When did English music begin and is it still being written? In an attempt both to define English music and explain its appeal Tom Service enlists the help of Em Marshall-Luck, founder-director of The English Music Festival.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 22 Jul 2022 16:30
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

Talking in music

Next

Wagner’s Ring Cycle: The Ultimate Box Set Binge

See all episodes from The Listening Service

Music Played

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    Fantasia on 'Greensleeves' [adapted R Greaves from opera 'Sir John in love']

    Performer: Daniel Barenboim. Performer: English Chamber Orchestra.
    • DG.
    • 469274-2.

  • Tansy Davies

    Loopholes and lynchpins for piano

    Performer: Huw Watkins.
    • nmc.
    • NMCD176.

  • Thomas Tallis

    O nata lux de lumine for 5 voices

    Performer: Peter Phillips. Performer: Tallis Scholars.
    • gimmell.
    • CDGIM212.

  • Dizzee Rascal

    Bassline Junkie

    Performer: Dizzee Rascal.

  • Michael Nyman

    A Zed and two noughts - music for the film

    Conductor: Michael Nyman. Performer: Zoo Orchestra.
    • venture.
    • DVEBN552.

  • Brian Ferneyhough

    Missa brevis for 12 voices

    Conductor: James Weeks. Performer: Exaudi.
    • NMC.
    • D231.

  • Percy Grainger

    Country gardens vers. for orchestra

    Conductor: Richard Hickox. Performer: ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Philharmonic.
    • CHANDOS.
    • CHAN9584.

  • The Dufay Collective

    Sumer is icumen in (Perspice, christicola)

    • chandos.
    • CHAN9396.

  • Edward Elgar

    Pomp and circumstance marches Op.39

    Conductor: Andrew Davis. Performer: ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Philharmonic.
    • Chandos.
    • CHAN10709.

  • Edward Elgar

    Symphony no. 2 in E flat major Op.63

    Conductor: Adrian Boult. Performer: London Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • EMI Classics.
    • CDM7640142.

  • Edward Elgar

    The Crown of India - imperial masque in 2 tableaux reconstructed and orchestrated by Anthony Payne

    Conductor: Andrew Davis. Performer: ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Philharmonic.
    • Chandos.
    • CHAN10570(2).

  • Edward Elgar

    Cockaigne (In London town) - overture Op.40

    Conductor: Sir Mark Elder. Performer: HallΓ©.
    • Halle.
    • CD HLL7501.

  • Edward Elgar

    Symphony no. 1 in A flat major Op.55

    Conductor: Edward Gardner. Performer: ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra.
    • Chandos.
    • CHSA5181.

  • Edward Elgar

    Concerto in B minor Op.61 for violin and orchestra

    Conductor: Sir Mark Elder. Performer: Thomas Zehetmair. Performer: HallΓ©.
    • halle.
    • HLL7521.

  • Roderick Williams

    Goodwood by the sea for piano

    Performer: Maria Marchant.
    • somm.
    • SOMMCD 0174.

  • George Butterworth

    A Shropshire lad - rhapsody for orchestra [1912]

    Conductor: Sir Mark Elder. Performer: HallΓ©.
    • Halle.
    • CD HLL7503.

  • Benjamin Britten

    Noye's fludde - children's opera in 1 act Op.59

    Conductor: Norman Del Mar. Performer: East Suffolk Children's Orchestra. Performer: English Chamber Orchestra.
    • Decca.
    • 478 544 9.

  • Harrison Birtwistle

    The Shadow of night for orchestra

    Orchestra: HallΓ©. Conductor: Ryan Wigglesworth.
    • NMC.
    • NMCD156.

  • Brian Ferneyhough

    Carceri d'invenzione II for flute and chamber orchestra [no.4 in 'Carceri' cycle]

    Conductor: Marcello Panni. Performer: Roberto Fabbriciani. Performer: Orchestra Sinfonica di Torino della RAI.
    • TACTUS.
    • TC980090.

  • Thomas AdΓ¨s

    Arcadiana for string quartet

    Performer: Danish String Quartet.
    • ECM.
    • 2453 4812385.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 24 May 2020 17:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
  • Fri 29 May 2020 16:30
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
  • Sun 17 Jul 2022 17:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
  • Fri 22 Jul 2022 16:30
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

Why do we call it 'classical' music?

Tom Service poses a very simple question (with a not-so-simple answer).

Six of the world's most extreme voices

From babies to Mongolian throat singers: whose voice is the most extreme of all?

How did the number 12 revolutionise music?

How did the number 12 revolutionise music?

How Schoenberg opened a new cosmos for composers and listeners to explore.

Why are we all addicted to bass?

Why are we all addicted to bass?

Bass is everywhere, but why do we enjoy it? Join Tom Service on a journey of discovery.

Watch the animations

Join Tom Service on a musical journey through beginnings, repetition and bass lines.

When does noise become music?

We like to think we can separate β€œnoise” from β€œmusic”, but is it that simple?

Podcast