Heavenly Voices | Episode 5 | Blessed Be The God and Father Samuel Sebastian Wesley
1Famed organist and choirmaster Barry Rose hosts this series. In the fifth episode he explores the reinstatement and revitalization of singing and church music during the 19th century, following a period of decline for the Anglican Church. Joined by guest Terry Waite CBE, Rose looks at the impact of Samuel Sebastian Wesley, the most influential figure in church music at this time, as well as at the Oxford, or Tractarian, Movement that sought to raise standards of worship in village parishes. He also discusses "Hymns Ancient and Modern" which became the mainstay of Victorian church music. Musical selections featured in this episode include: "Blessed Be the God and Father" by Samuel Sebastian Wesley and performed by the Choir of Hereford Cathedral; "When Morning Guilds the Skies" from "Laudes Domini" by Sir Joseph Barnby and sung by the Heavenly Voices choir; and "God So Loved The World" from "The Crucifixion," by Sir John Stainer and performed by the Huddersfield Choral Society.
The remarkable history of the British choral tradition is explored in this 8-part series about the glories of religious music. As your ears enjoy this extraordinary musical journey, your eyes will feast on the beautiful scenery of ruined abbeys, the glorious English countryside, its grand cathedrals, beautiful gardens, and lofty churches throughout the country.
This eight-part series about the glories of religious music, travels on an extraordinary musical journey through the remarkable history of the British choral tradition. Ten centuries of song will unfold as renowned organist and choir master Barry Rose explores the great traditions of church music — from the purity of tenth-century plainchant, invented by Pope Gregory to help his missioning monks teach their new converts the Scriptures and services, to the thunderous beat of a late twentieth-century rock-and-roll Christian band. Filmed in ruined abbeys, glorious countryside, grand cathedrals, beautiful gardens and lofty churches throughout Britain, Heavenly Voices is a feast for eyes and ears.
Director: Dominic Cyriax
Starring: Barry Rose, Toyah Wilcox, Rabbi Lionel Blue, Gloria Hunniford, Ruth Mardoc, Dickie Bird, Terry Waite, Dr. David Bellamy, Matt Redman, Jane Asher, Owen Hughes, Martin Offiah