Episodes
| Series | Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 01 | 20100104 | Donald Macleod introduces the brilliant, but little-known musicians of 17th and 18th-century Spain, where the collision of ancient and modern traditions, popular songs, and the ever-present spirit of Spanish dance produced a dazzling treasure-trove of masterworks that has yet to be fully explored. Santiago de Murcia: Jacaras por la E Paul O'Dette (baroque guitar) Harmonia Mundi, HMU907212 Track 1 Sebastian Duron: A batallar estrellas Al Ayre Espanol Eduardo Lopez Banzo (director) Harmonia Mundi HMI987053 Track 9 Matheo Romero: Magnificat Ensemble vocal et instrumental Currende Erik Van Nevel (conductor) Cypres, CYP 3606 Track 2 Matheo Romero: Missa bonae voluntatis (excerpts) Choeur de Chambre De Namur La Fenice Jean Tubery (director) Ricercar RIC229 Tracks 14-22 Dances by Santa Cruz, Romero, Coll and Aranes Montserrat Figueras (singer) Hesperion XX Jordi Savall (director) EMI CDM7631452 Tracks 20-23 Patino: Maria Mater Dei Harmonia Mundi HMI987053 Track 3. Donald Macleod introduces the little-known musicians of 17th and 18th-century Spain. |
| 2010 | 02 | 20100105 | Donald Macleod explores the little-known music of 17th and 18th-century Spain. The Italian invention of opera was rapidly taking Europe by storm but Madrid failed to be charmed by its new-fangled recitatives and arias. Donald considers how composers at the Spanish court looked for their own way of bringing music into the theatre. Jose Marin: Ojos, pues me desdenais Ensemble La Romanesca Jose Miguel Moreno Glossa GCD 920201 Tr 5 Jose Marin: Aquella sierra Nevada Francisco Guerau: Marionas Jose Marin: No piense Menguilla Jose Miguel Moreno (director) Glossa GCD 920201 Trs 12, 15 and 14 Juan Hidalgo: Ay amor, ay ausencia Marta Almajano (soprano) Juan Carlos Rivera (archlute) Mike Fentross (baroque guitar) Ventura Rico (viola da gamba) Harmonia Mundi HMI987028 Tr 6 Anon/Guerau: Suite Extempore String Ensemble Helios CDH55098 Tr 4 Antonio de Literes: Acis y Galatea (excerpt) Acis - Lola Casariego (mezzo-soprano) Galatea - Marta Almajano (soprano) Glauco - Xenia Meijer (mezzo-soprano) Nereida - Maria Luz Alvares (soprano) Tisbe - Marina Pardo (mezzo) Momo - Jordi Ricart (baritone) Al Ayre Espanol Eduardo Lopez Banzo (director) Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 05472775222 Trs 16-25. Donald Macleod on how composers at the Spanish court created their own musical theatre. |
| 2010 | 03 | 20100106 | Donald Macleod explores the little-known music of 17th and 18th-century Spain. The all-powerful church in 17th century Spain liked its music very traditional indeed: old-fashioned and strictly Latin only. Outside the liturgy, though, composers could be more experimental. Donald reveals how modern styles, popular tunes and dance rhythms found their way into the sacred 'villancico' form. Francisco Correa de Arauxo: Tiento No 16 Bernard Foccroulle (organ) Ricercar RIC070056 Tr 1 Cristobal Galan: Al espejo que retrata Al Ayre Espanol Eduardo Lopez Banzo (director) Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 05472773252 Tr 3 Juan Barter: Hazo, Anton! Clara Sanabras (soprano) Rodrigo del Pozo (tenor) Charivari Agreable Kah-Ming Ng (director) Signum SIGCD069 Tr 11 Lucas Ruiz de Ribayaz: Chaconas y Marionas Harp Consort Andrew Lawrence-King (director) Deutsche Harmonia Mundi DHM 05472773402 Tr 5 Gaspar Sanz: Preludio y Fantasia Hopkinson Smith (guitar) Astree E8576 Tr 17 Sebastian Duron: La borrachita de amor Raquel Andueza (soprano) Manuel Vilas (double harp) Naxos 8570458 Tr 3 Sebastian Duron: Lamentacion segunda, del Viernes Santo Marta Almajano (soprano) Deutsche Harmonia Mundi DHM 05472 773762 Tr 10. Donald Macleod on modern styles, popular tunes dance rhythms and the 'villancico' form. |
| 2010 | 04 | 20100107 | Donald Macleod explores the little-known music of 17th and 18th-century Spain. As a new generation of Spanish composers came of age and the influence of Italian forms strengthened, fierce debates raged about what constituted 'proper' Spanish music. Meanwhile, Spain was exporting a wealth of exotic dance styles to the rest of Europe. Donald Macleod explores the fierce debates about what constituted 'proper' Spanish music. |
| 2010 | 05 LAST | 20100108 | Donald Macleod focuses on how Spanish finally embraced Italian styles, including opera. |