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Breaking Free: Martin Luther's Revolution

Tom Service explores where the idea of communal singing, especially in religious contexts, came from in modern Europe. With Bach scholar John Butt and the Rev Lucy Winkett.

As part of Radio 3's Breaking Free: Martin Luther's Revolution, The Listening Service asks where the idea of communal singing, especially in religious contexts, came from in modern Europe. It seems natural to us today but the practice of congregational singing was once a radical, revolutionary idea that brought religion and politics together. And - what do the football chants heard on the terraces share with the hymns we sing in church? Tom talks to Bach scholar John Butt and the Reverend Lucy Winkett to find some answers. Rethink music with The Listening Service.

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28 minutes

Last on

Sun 30 Apr 201717:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Mein Freund ist mein! (Cantata No 140)

    Performer: Anthony Robson. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner. Singer: Ruth Holten. Singer: Stephen Varcoe. Ensemble: English Baroque Soloists.
    • J.S. Bach: Kantaten BWV 140 and 147.
    • Archiv Produktion.
    • 6.

  • Chelsea F.C.

    Blue is the Colour

    Performer: Chelsea F.C..
    • The Best Footie Anthems In The World... Ever!.
    • Virgin.

  • Edward Elgar

    Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 'Land of Hope and Glory'

    Performer: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Performer: BBC Symphony Chorus. Performer: BBC Singers. Performer: Sir Andrew Davis.
    • TELDEC.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 9 - Last Mvt

    Performer: Leonard Bernstein. Performer: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Performer: Staatskapelle Dresden. Performer: Orchestra of the Kirov Theatre. Performer: St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. Performer: London Symphony Orchestra. Performer: New York Philharmonic. Performer: Orchestre de Paris – Philharmonie. Performer: Bavarian Radio Symphony Choir. Performer: Dresden Philharmonic Children's Chorus.
    • DG.

  • Unknown

    God Save the Queen

    Performer: Football Fans.

  • Rodgers and Hammerstein

    You'll Never Walk Alone (from Carousel)

    Performer: Members of the Original New York Production.
    • Carousel - Original Cast.

  • Martin Luther

    Ein feste burg ist unser Gott

    Performer: Manuel Helmeke.
    • Luther Collage.
    • CARUS.

  • Martin Luther

    Komm Heiliger Geist

    Performer: Unknown.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Christ lag in Todesbanden BWV 4

    Performer: Monteverdi Choir. Performer: English Baroque Soloists. Performer: Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
    • Bach Cantatas Volume 22.
    • SDG.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Kommt, ihr Tochter, helft mir klagen from Matthew Passion BWV.244

    Performer: Dunedin Consort & Players. Performer: John Butt.
    • LINN.

  • Simon May

    Eastenders Theme (2009 Version)

    • Favourite TV Themes.

  • ALISON BECK

    Cantillation Tone

    Performer: Lucy Winkett. Performer: Adam Gray.
    • RECORDING GIVEN WITH PERMISSION OF MUSICICANS.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Herr, unser Herrscher (St John Passion, BWV 245)

    Choir: Monteverdi Choir. Orchestra: English Baroque Soloists. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
    • Archiv.

  • Rev. C.J. Johnson

    I Wanna Go Where Jesus Is

    Performer: Rev. C.J. Johnson.
    • Wade In The Water, Vol. 2: African American Congregational Singing.
    • Smithsonian Folkways.

  • Hubert Parry

    Jerusalem

    Orchestrator: Edward Elgar. Conductor: Sir Andrew Davis. Choir: BBC Singers. Choir: BBC Symphony Chorus and Orchestra.
    • TELDEC.

  • Rodgers and Hammerstein

    You'll Never Walk Alone

    Performer: Football Fans at Anfield.

Broadcast

  • Sun 30 Apr 201717:00
    BBC Radio 3

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