The Early Music Show

Hannah French with the second of two programmes exploring the lives of two 16th Century Popes: Leo X and Clement VII, and the music that surrounded them.Having been brought up together in the wealthy and influential Florentine household of the Medicis, cousins Giovanni & Giulio were always destined for greatness.As Pope Leo X, Giovanni was a lavish patron of the arts. He sanctioned major renovations on St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, extended the Sistine Chapel Choir, promoted the study of Greek, Arabic & Hebrew, commissioned works from artists such as Raphael & Peruzzi, and maintained a private orchestra as well as the official papal musicians. In order to fund these lavish artistic interests, Leo X encouraged the purchase of indulgences - remissions of the temporal punishment for sins – which could only be afforded by the most wealthy. Leo was also portrayed by his opponents as a man of gross excess; there were suggestions of sexual impropriety, favouritism and immorality, all of which were fuel to the fire of the burgeoning Protestant Reformation in northern Europe. Needless to say, Leo spent way above the papal means, and when he died suddenly in 1521, the papal treasury was 400,000 ducats in debt. Leo’s right-hand man throughout his papacy was his beloved cousin, Giulio de Medici. Within three months of Leo’s election as Pope, Giulio had been made Archbishop of Florence, and just three more months down the line, he was appointed Cardinal of Santa Maria in Dominica. By 1517, Cardinal Giulio was made Vice-Chancellor of the Church (ie, second in command). He became deeply involved in the politics of England, France and the Holy Roman Empire, which would eventually backfire on him spectacularly…When Cardinal Giulio was elected to the heady heights of the Papacy in 1523, as Pope Clement VII, little did he know the struggles that lay ahead. There was already the threat of the Lutherans from northern Europe and the Turks were making in-roads into the east. Plus, there was the childish squabbling of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and King Francis I of France, who both demanded the Pope choose a side, leading to the Sack of Rome in 1527. And six years later, he had Henry VIII’s divorce to deal with. All of this while having to impose austerity measures in an attempt to pay off some of the debts left by his own cousin!Like his cousin, Pope Clement VII was also a gifted musician. It's likely he too learned from the great composer Heinrich Isaac while growing up in Florence, and over the years he had dealings with the likes of Nicolas Gombert, Jean Mouton, Philippe Verdelot and Costanzo Festa as the music of the High Renaissance swirled around him.

In this first of two programmes, Hannah French explores the lives of two 16th Century Popes: Leo X and Clement VII, and the music that surrounded them.Giovanni & Giulio were cousins, brought up together in the wealthy and influential Florentine household of the Medicis. Giovanni's father, Lorenzo "The Magnificent" and his brother Giuliano were the rulers of the Florentine Republic. In 1478, though, Giuliano de Medici was murdered in Florence Cathedral as part of the Pazzi Conspiracy. As a result, young Giulio was brought up by his uncle. Both boys were guided into a career in the church, and because of the financial and political backing that came with the Medici name, it was clear they were both destined for high office.In 1513, Giovanni de Medici was elected as Pope Leo X. He made Rome a strong political power, and as a generous patron of the arts, he helped writers, poets, painters and musicians of the High Renaissance to flourish. But, his lavish tastes depleted the papal treasury, and made many enemies who accused him of being "engrossed in idle and selfish amusements". By 1517, would-be reformers in northern Europe had had enough of papal excesses, and Martin Luther published his 95 theses which were to be the start of the Protestant Reformation. The young Giovanni de Medici was said to have had a fine ear and a melodious voice, and "loved music to the pitch of fanaticism". It's possible he learned from the great Heinrich Isaac, who was the shining musical light in late 15th Century Florence. As Pope Leo X he expanded the Sistine Chapel choir, and procured the services of professional singers, instrumentalists and composers from all over Europe.

In the last of four programmes across 2025 marking the 300th anniversary of the publication of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Hannah French explores the Violin Concerto in F major, RV.293 - better known as Autumn.Dancing, drinking, feasting: Vivaldi's musical depiction of Autumn and the sonnet that accompanies it are all about celebrating the good times of harvest and hunt... and warn of the aftereffects of over-indulgence at the festivities. As part of her exploration of the music and its themes, Hannah talks to Amandine Beyer, Baroque violinist and director of the internationally acclaimed early music group Gli Incogniti, about the concerto and working with choreographers to create a danced version of The Four Seasons. And Hannah sends us one final sonic snapshot from her recent research trip to Vivaldi's haunts in Venice and Mantua.To listen to this programme using most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play The Early Music Show".

In the second of four programmes across 2025 marking the 300th anniversary of the publication of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Hannah French explores the Violin Concerto in E major, RV.269 - better known as Spring.From the opening's chorus of birdsong to the rustic dance of the finale via the snoring goatherd of the second movement, Hannah considers the concerto's context and inspirations, and shares other early music influenced by the season of hope and new beginnings. Violinist and artistic director of La Serenissima Adrian Chandler talks to Hannah about the Op. 8 collection of concertos that Vivaldi published in Amsterdam in 1725, and what Vivaldi's Spring means to him. And Hannah sends us a sonic snapshot from a recent trip to the church where Vivaldi was baptised in 1678 in the heart of Venice.To listen to this programme using most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play The Early Music Show".

In the third of four programmes across 2025 marking the 300th anniversary of the publication of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Hannah French explores the Violin Concerto in G minor, RV.315 - better known as Summer.In its combination of oppressive heat and violent storms, Vivaldi's concerto and the sonnet that accompanies it focus on the hardships of an Italian summer: a harsh musical depiction of tempests and high temperatures. Recorder player and artistic director of the London International Festival of Early Music Erik Bosgraaf chats to Hannah about the challenges of playing The Four Seasons on a wind instrument. And Hannah sends us a sonic snapshot from a recent trip to Mantua, where Vivaldi spent two years working at the court chapel.To listen to this programme using most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play The Early Music Show".

Hannah French presents highlights of last November's London International Festival of Early Music. There's music by Corelli from the young Korean recorder player Jiyeon Bang, viol player Robert Smith plays a set of variations by John Jenkins, harpsichordist Maciej Skrzeczkowski plays John Bull, and recorder player Erik Bosgraaf and the ensemble filoBarocco explore the world of Telemann's Polonaises.

In the first of four programmes across 2025 marking the 300th anniversary of the publication of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Hannah French explores the Violin Concerto in F minor, RV297 - better known as Winter.From the trembling, teeth-chattering cold of the first movement to the fireside warmth of the second and the slippery ice and chill winds of the last, in this concerto Vivaldi vividly depicts the harsh brutality of the Venetian winter. Hannah considers the context and inspirations for the music, and shares other early music influenced by the season of frost and darkness. She talks to violinist Daniel Pioro, whose new recording of The Four Seasons couples Vivaldi's music with new poetry by Michael Morpurgo, about what Vivaldi's Winter means to him. And she sends us a sonic snapshot from a recent trip to the Venetian Lagoon, which completely froze over in the brutal winter of 1709 to devastating effect to local communities.To listen to this programme using most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play The Early Music Show".

As part of Radio 3's European Road Trip, Hannah French is joined by musicologist and conductor Árni Heimir Ingólfsson to explore early Icelandic music - from the 13th-century poems known as “Eddas” to the influence of mainland Europe that shaped Iceland’s rich sacred choral traditions, which still continue today.To listen to this programme using most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play The Early Music Show".

Hannah French visits Claire van Kampen - the Tudor music advisor & arranger for both Wolf Hall TV series - to explore the music associated with many of the main characters, including King Henry VIII, Thomas Cromwell, Anne Boleyn and Lady Mary, as well as some of the musicians at court: Mark Smeaton, John Taverner and John Blanke.

Hannah is joined in the studio by organist and director of Amsterdam Baroque as he celebrates his 80th birthday this year. They'll chat about his incredible 60-year career and choose some of his favourite recordings.To listen to this programme using most smart speakers, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play [The Early Music Show".

As the cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris reopens its doors to the public after more than five years since fire caused its closure, Hannah French examines the early musical history of this extraordinary building.With the help of Antony Pitts, founder-conductor of the choral group Tonus Peregrinus, Hannah explores the influential Notre-Dame school of polyphony - musician-priests like Léonin and Perotin who worked in Notre-Dame in the 12th Century. These composers codified a new style of multi-voice liturgical chant known as organum, which flourished just as the cathedral itself was in the process of being built.Hannah also looks into the musicians who followed in the footsteps of these musical pioneers across the following six centuries, including organists Louis-Claude Daquin and Armand-Louis Couperin who worked in Notre-Dame in the 18th-century.To listen to this programme (using most smart speakers) just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play The Early Music Show".

In honour of the Paris Olympics, Hannah French explores medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music associated with gold, silver and bronze across three episodes of The Early Music Show.As the Games draw to a close, Hannah reaches the top spot on the podium, focusing on gold and its allure over composers and musicians across the centuries. Golden apples, the golden fleece, golden tresses, the golden ratio: gold glitters in musical treasures from the Tudor court in England to the opera stages of Baroque Venice.

Hannah French presents the second of two programmes of highlights from the 2023 London International Festival of Early Music, today focusing on their support of young, up-and-coming artists. The OAE Experience Ensemble offers students the chance to play alongside seasoned professionals, and you can hear them playing music by Haydn and Mozart, as well as students from Chethams School of Music in Manchester, and London's Guildhall School of Music & Drama and the Junior Royal Academy, performing music by Telemann, Purcell and van Eyck.

Hannah French presents the first of two programmes of highlights from the 2023 London International Festival of Early Music, including performances from harpsichordist Jane Chapman, recorder player Erik Bosgraaf, the Wroclaw Baroque Orchestra and Ensemble Pampinea.

Hannah French explores the life and music of John Wilbye, the most famous of the English madrigalists. Wilbye's fame rests almost entirely on the 64 works contained in two books of madrigals which were published in 1598 and 1608.

For their first visit to the Beverley and East Riding Early Music Festival, Ensemble Augelletti - the newly appointed BBC New Generation Baroque Ensemble focus their musical lens on a curious and well-connected local clergyman and musician – Edward Finch. Specialising in making musical arrangements of the most popular music of his time, including Henry Purcell’s wonderful ‘Golden Sonata’, Ensemble Augelletti tell Finch’s singular story and they perform some of his compositions and arrangements alongside music by his friends Purcell, Handel, and Geminiani.

Hannah French is joined in the Early Music Show studio by musicologists Berta Joncus and Lola Salem to explore the life and career of Jean-Baptiste Lully, who shot to fame at the court of King Louis XIV. Lully was an Italian violinist, guitarist and dancer, who caught the eye of the young King when they danced together in a ballet in 1653. Before long, he became an indispensable part of the Paris and Versailles music scenes, entertaining the royal family for the next thirty years and earning a very good salary from doing so. Lully was bisexual, and for many years his relationships with both men and women were never questioned – there was an implicit acceptance to same-sex desires among the upper echelons of 17th Century Parisian society. But in 1683, Queen Marie-Thérèse died, and the king's secret marriage to Madame de Maintenon changed everything. Devotion came to the fore at court, the king's enthusiasm for opera dissipated, he became increasingly annoyed by what he now considered Lully's dissolute lifestyle, and everything began to unravel…

In honour of the Paris Olympics, Hannah French explores medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music associated with gold, silver and bronze across three episodes of The Early Music Show.In second place, it's silver: from silver cymbals to South American silver mines, silver swans to Judas's 30 pieces of silver, Hannah considers the 'second best' metal and examines its connections with early music from Bach to Bolivia.

In honour of the Paris Olympics, Hannah French explores medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music associated with gold, silver and bronze across three episodes of The Early Music Show.Starting in third place, Hannah considers music relating to bronze, from the extraordinary sound of Bronze Age horns to the magnificent music that would have floated over Bernini's famous bronze altar canopy in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. She also showcases some of the composers who came in third - including Johann Sebastian Bach, third choice for the job of Thomaskantor in Leipzig.

Lucie Skeaping looks at the life and music of German organist and composer Matthias Weckmann, who died 350 years ago this month.

Mark Seow looks at 18th Century Europe's fascination with the Orient, including music by Purcell and Couperin, and he explores the lives of certain musicians living in 18th Century Beijing.

From her home in North London, Hannah French presents a selection of medieval carols, plus Renaissance & Baroque music for Christmas Eve, including festive pieces by Corelli, Vivaldi, Charpentier, Manfredini, Byrd, Manchicourt & Handel.Join Hannah in the French kitchen as she also tucks in to some Yuletide treats fit for a cosy Christmas Eve.

Alessandro Stradella's star burned brightly but briefly. His music was glorious; his lifestyle was dissolute: embezzlement, sexual imprudence and political intrigue - Stradella fell foul of his misdemeanours in 1682 when he was murdered by a hitman at the age of just 38.Hannah French is joined in the studio by the University of Birmingham's Professor Andrew Kirkman, who conducted a recent performance of Stradella's opera "La forza dell'amor paterno" with Barber Opera. Together they'll explore Stradella's colourful life and wonderful music, including extracts from the Birmingham performance, alongside recordings of Stradella's other operas, oratorios and orchestral works.

Lucie Skeaping delves into the life and music of the extraordinary 18th-century German viol player and composer Carl Friedrich Abel, who was born 300 years ago this year. Plus, your weekly edition of Early Music News from Mark Seow.

The National Trust's Senior Curator John Chu takes Hannah French around two stunning properties in Derbyshire: Hardwick Hall & Kedleston Hall to explore the musical links in the buildings, furnishings and art works.

The Tallis Scholars mark their 50th anniversary this year so today, founder Peter Phillips and two of the group's singers meet with Hannah French to choose some highlights from the last five decades of recording and giving concerts at home and abroad.

The Academy of Ancient Music celebrates its golden anniversary this year - 5 decades since harpsichordist Christopher Hogwood and record producer Peter Wadland cooked up the idea of forming a historically-informed orchestra one evening in London's Marquis of Granby pub. Since then, they have produced hundreds of recordings, launched the careers of many international soloists and brought fantastic period performances of Baroque and Classical music to the public's attention.Today, Hannah French takes the opportunity to chat to current music director Laurence Cummings and CEO John McMunn about the group's first fifty years and the impact they have made.

Lucie Skeaping discovers the remarkable Guillaume de Machaut, as both poet and composer in 1300s France, in conversation with Machaut experts Elizabeth Eva Leach and Uri Smilansky.With thanks to French Radio, Le Miroir de Musique, the Orlando Consort and Sollazzo Ensemble for making recordings available for this programme.

The Taverner Consort and Players emerged in 1973 and has since become a world leader in the period performance of Baroque and Classical music. Hannah French talks to its founder Andrew Parrott about the group's extraordinary five decades of success and discovery.

"The most celebrated Italian musician of his generation"...but what do we know now about the 17th century composer Antonio Cesti? In his quatercentenary year, Lucie Skeaping delves into his life and music to find out more, and we'll hear excerpts from his many operas.Plus, your weekly bulletin of Early Music News from Mark Seow.

International performer and lecturer Sietz de Vries takes Hannah French on an organ tour of the Dutch province of Groningen to explore its still thriving tradition of improvisation.

Although best known for his vocal music, William Byrd's keyboard music was rich and diverse, leading the way for composers such as Giles Farnaby and Thomas Tomkins. Lucie Skeaping speaks to Professor of Harpsichord and Fortepiano Carole Cerasi about how Byrd set the future style of English keyboard music and why it remains important now 400 years after his death.

Mark Seow explores the cantata with which JS Bach exploded onto the musical scene in Leipzig in 1723 – Die Elenden sollen essen, BWV75. Bach composed the piece at a decisive turning point in his career. After various positions in churches and courts, he assumed his post of Thomaskantor in Leipzig on the first Sunday after Trinity, performing this cantata.Plus, there's a round-up of the week's Early Music News with Hannah French.

Lucie Skeaping meets the singer-songwriters of 13th century northern France, in conversation with medieval vocal music experts Joseph Mason and Meghan Quinlan. The trouveres were the northern cousins of the more famous troubadours, and their songs cover the gamut from courtly love to religious devotion via the Crusades and political and personal conflicts.

Hannah French chats to conductor Stephen Rice about his Oxford-based choir The Brabant Ensemble which celebrates its silver anniversary in 2023. Stephen chooses some of his favourite recordings from the group's first 25 years, including music by Pierre de Manchicourt, Nicolas Gombert, Jacobus Clemens non Papa, Cristobal de Morales, Orlando Lassus, Jean Mouton, Francisco Guerrero, Giovanni da Palestrina, Josquin des Prez, Robert Parsons, Antoine de Fevin and Jacquet of Mantua.

Hannah French leafs through a book of 100 exhibits exploring Renaissance music history, in conversation with its editors Vincenzo Borghetti and Tim Shephard.Links to images of the exhibits they discuss: Venus (Florence, c. 1464): www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1845-0825-467 Plato charming the wild animals by his music (Lahore, 1595): https://imagesonline.bl.uk/asset/1355 The Whole Booke of Psalmes (London, 1627): bit.ly/3ITG3Xi Chansonnier of Margaret of Austria (?Mechelen, c. 1515/20): https://lib.is/IE7906245/representation?fl_pid=FL7906763 Valance (England, Scotland or France, c. 1570/1600): https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O15351/valance-unknown Le Jardin de Plaisance et Fleur de Rhétorique ((The Garden of Delight and the Flower of Rhetoric, Paris, c. 1501/2): https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1511444h The Musicians of the Holy Church, Exempt from Tax (Peru, c. 1615): www5.kb.dk/permalink/2006/poma/680/en/text/?open=idm464 Sacred and Profane Love (Venice, 1514): www.collezionegalleriaborghese.it/opere/amor-sacro-e-amor-profano

Lucie Skeaping charts the history of German art song from its beginnings with the 12th-century Minnesänger through to the Renaissance in the 1500s, with music by Tannhäuser, Walther von Vogelweide, Oswald von Wolkenstein and Heinrich Isaac.

On the first anniversary of the passing of Clare Salaman, Lucie Skeaping celebrates her life and work. Clare founded The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments, and championed rare and exotic instruments including the trumpet marine. With archive of Clare herself and contributions from fellow practitioners from the world of early music including Rachel Podger.

2023 marks the 400th anniversary of English composer William Byrd - often hailed as one of the finest of the European late Renaissance. Hannah French will explore his influence with the vocal ensemble Stile Antico, including music from their newly released recording.

Hannah French celebrates the 40th birthday of the choir and period instrument orchestra Gabrieli, in conversation with their founder and Artistic Director Paul McCreesh. Including a visit to Coventry Cathedral, the penultimate stop on Gabrieli's winter tour of eight cathedrals performing a Christmas programme of music by Praetorius with teenagers from local schools as part of their ambitious commitment to working with young people, Gabrieli Roar.

Lucie Skeaping is joined by three members of His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts to mark the ensemble's 40th anniversary this year, including some of their favourite recordings from those four decades.

Hannah French is in Germany to mark the 40th anniversary of one of Europe’s most successful early music ensembles - the Akademie für alte Musik Berlin. Founded in 1982 in what was then East Berlin, the Akademie has blossomed into a Grammy award-winning outfit that tours worldwide and enjoys a reputation to match. Hannah will be talking to the ensemble’s general manager Uwe Schneider, long-standing oboist Xenia Löffler, founder member and concert master Bernhard Forck and one of the ensemble’s eminent regular guest conductors – René Jacobs.Music includes the Akademie’s recordings of JS Bach, CPE Bach, Handel, Mozart, Gluck, Telemann, Keiser and Vivaldi.Plus, there'll be the usual round-up of Early Music News with Mark Seow.

Hannah French chats to the Dunedin Consort's artistic director John Butt in the ensemble's 25th anniversary year, and John chooses some of his favourite recordings from their discography.

Lucie Skeaping is joined by Professor Magnus Williamson of Newcastle University to explore the life & music of 16th Century composer Robert Parsons, who died 450 years ago this year, at the young age of 37.

Hannah French explores the major recording series the Vivaldi Edition, in conversation with its artistic director Susan Orlando. At 68 discs so far - the 69th will be out on Friday - the Edition is one of the biggest recording projects of the 21st century and aims to release every note of music in the manuscripts Vivaldi had with him when he died in 1741.Vivaldi Edition website: https://vivaldiedition.net

Hannah French presents a tribute to the extraordinary musician, linguist and founder of Joglaresa - Belinda Sykes - who died last year. With contributions from friends and colleagues, and tracks from her many recordings.

John Blanke was a trumpet player of African descent employed by the English Kings Henry VII and Henry VIII in the early 1500s. He's the only black person of the Tudor period for whom we have both a name and a picture – in the Westminster Tournament Roll of 1511, currently on display at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool – but he was by no means the only person of African heritage living in England at that time. Lucie Skeaping uncovers the life and world of John Blanke and the music he would have known, in conversation with expert on diversity in Tudor England, Dr Onyeka Nubia.

Radio 3's New Generation Baroque Ensemble - Ensemble Molière - play Lully, Couperin and Telemann, showcasing the coming together of French and Italian musical tastes in the late 18th century, known as the 'Réunion des goûts'. Presented by Hannah French.

Hannah French is in Cambridge exploring links between Handel and the city...which he never visited! She's joined by The Fitzwilliam Museum's Dr Suzanne Reynolds, Handel aficionado Dr Ruth Smith and Emeritus Professor Iain Fenlon to look at a number of treasured items of Handel memorabilia.She'll also be chatting to Cambridge Handel Opera Company's Julian Perkins ahead of their forthcoming production of Tamerlano.

Lucie Skeaping celebrates the 450th anniversary of Thomas Tomkins's birth. He studied with William Byrd, was choirmaster at Worcester Cathedral and organist at the Chapel Royal. Born in 1572, his life spanned the end of the Tudor period, the beginning of the reign of the Stuarts and the execution of Charles I to whom he dedicated his Sad Pavan: for these distracted times. His music is still performed regularly in cathedrals, in particular his anthem When David Heard.