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The musical mouse that roared: the pioneering baroque revival of 1973

Sir Nicholas Kenyon looks back at the events of 1973, an extraordinary year in which many of the UK’s pioneering early music ensembles were established.

The musical mouse that roared: the pioneering baroque revival of 1973.

Sir Nicholas Kenyon looks back at the events of 1973, an extraordinary year in which many of the UK’s pioneering early music ensembles were established.

From today's vantage point, when early music practices have pervaded the entire world of classical music, and when authenticity and fidelity to the text is taken for granted, it is difficult to imagine how revolutionary such ideas were 50 years ago, or the hostility which the early music pioneers encountered.

The early music movement in the UK came in from the outside, as it were. Initially just a group of amateur enthusiasts, it was largely formed of people who not been to conservatoires, who had not worked their ways up through the traditional ranks of the business.

Such a group was tailor-made to displease the musical establishment of the time, and it did so.

Yet fifty years ago, this new fashion swept everything before it: in 1973 the first orchestras devoted to playing music on original 'period' instruments were founded, and the first recordings were launched. Soon the Academy of Ancient Music and its like became the most fashionable things in classical music, but the controversy continued unabated.

This Sunday feature looks back at the excitement of that moment and the issues it raised, revisiting the sounds of those times and the places where it was heard, and to ask the pioneers: why did it happen when it happened?

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44 minutes

Last on

Sun 22 Oct 2023 18:45
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Mike Oldfield

    Tubular Bells

    Ensemble: Grim Reaper Players.
    • Columbia River Entertainment.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068 (II. Air)

    Performer: David Bell. Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Herbert von Karajan.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Suite No 3 in D major, BWV 1068 (Air)

    Performer: The English Concert. Director: Trevor Pinnock.
    • ARCHIV : 439-780-2.
    • ARCHIV.
    • 2.

  • Tielman Susato

    Ronde and Salterelle

    Ensemble: Early Music Consort of London. Director: David Munrow.
    • TESTAMENT.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Concerto for two violins, BWV 1043 Largo

    Performer: Erick Friedman. Performer: Jascha Heifetz. Orchestra: New Symphony Orchestra of London. Conductor: Malcolm Sargent.
    • RCA.

  • Thomas Arne

    Overture No 3 in G major

    Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Christopher Hogwood.
    • Eight Overtures.
    • L'Oiseau-Lyre.
    • 7.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Kommt, ihr TΓΆchter (St Matthew Passion BWV.244)

    Choir: Arnold Schoenberg Chorus. Choir: Vienna Boys' Choir. Orchestra: Concentus Musicus Wien. Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt.
    • Bach: St Matthew Passion: Harnoncourt.
    • Teldec.
    • 1.

  • Josquin des Prez

    Grillo

    Ensemble: Musica Reservata.
    • Josquin Des Pres: Musica Reservata.
    • Argo.
    • 1.

  • Francesco Cavalli

    Aure trecce inanellate (L'Ormindo)

    Singer: Jane BerbiΓ©. Choir: Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Raymond Leppard. Singer: Anne Howells.
    • Cavalli: L'Ormindo.
    • Decca.
    • 1.

  • Jean‐Philippe Rameau

    Pygmalion, acte de ballet, RCT 52: Ouverture

    Orchestra: Les Talens Lyriques. Conductor: Christophe Rousset.
    • Rameau: Pygmalion & Les FΓͺtes de Polymnie.
    • ΄‘±θ²Ή°ω³ΩΓ©.
    • 1.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815

    • Bach: French Suites.
    • Universal Music Australia Pty. Ltd..
    • 19.

  • John Taverner

    Missa Corona Spinea - Sanctus

    Composer: Tallis Scholars. Choir: Tallis Scholars. Conductor: Peter Phillips.
    • Gimmel.

  • Thomas Tallis

    Spem in Alium (excerpt)

    Director: David Wulstan. Choir: The Clerkes of Oxenford.
    • Classics for Pleasure.

  • George Frideric Handel

    But who may abide [Messiah]

    Singer: Emma Kirkby. Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Christopher Hogwood.
    • L'Oiseau Lyre.

  • William Byrd

    Mass for 5 voices (Agnus Dei)

    Choir: Tallis Scholars. Director: Peter Phillips.
    • The Tallis Scholars Sing William Byrd.
    • Gimell.
    • 5.

  • Thomas Arne

    Overture No 2 in A major

    Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music. Director: Christopher Hogwood.
    • Arne: Eight Overtures: Academy of Ancient Music/Hogwood.
    • L'Oiseau-Lyre.
    • 3.

Broadcast

  • Sun 22 Oct 2023 18:45
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3

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