Change Your Tune

West Side Story composer, Leonard Bernstein, described it as “the greatest single work in Western music”. But what makes Bach’s St Matthew Passion so remarkable? In the second of our 150th anniversary episodes, David Hill and The Bach Choir take you through this powerful story of love, betrayal, anger and forgiveness. We also hear from acclaimed choreographer, Kim Brandstrup, about Breaking Bach – his irresistible collaboration with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment featuring young hip hop dancers’ joyful interpretation of Bach’s music.  Plus we've got a special birthday message from Eurovision superstar, Sam Ryder.Find the video edition of this episode - including footage from Breaking Bach – here https://youtu.be/fgB74cpmIkAIf you’d like to come to The Bach Choir’s next performance of the St Matthew Passion you can find details here - https://thebachchoir.org.uk/whats-on/ Discover more about Breaking Bach here - https://oae.co.uk/introducing-breaking-bach/The version of the aria Erbarme Dich Mein Gott in this episode is from the 2019 recording of the St Matthew Passion by The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, and the Academy of Ancient Music conducted by Sir Stephen Cleobury and featuring alto David Allsopp. Find it here https://kingscollegechoir.com/recording/bach-matthew-passion/To hear more from David Hill and The Bach Choir, sign up to our newsletter.. Every month we send out performance videos, musical analysis, exclusive offers and details of The Bach Choir’s live concert dates. We’re currently giving away a free concert video of Rachmaninoff’s Vespers to new subscribers - sign up here to watch it now - https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-signup/Change Your Tune is a Podcart production - https://www.podcart.co.uk/. The Series Producer is Jayne Morgan.The videographer is Joe Garvey.

Bach’s music turns up everywhere from cigar ads to horror films. You can probably hum bits of Bach even if you’re not a classical fan. But what makes his music so popular and why is he still so influential 300 years on? To celebrate The Bach Choir’s 150th Anniversary, we’ve made three special episodes all about Bach and his best-known compositions. This time our host and Musical Director, David Hill, is joined by BBC Radio 3’s Linton Stephens to talk about six of Bach’s most famous pieces. Along the way they tackle musical taboos (why can’t most classical musicians improvise?), classical music wrangles (did Bach actually write the Toccata and Fugue?), and great stories (why did Bach once threaten a bassoonist with a sword?). Plus, we hear from some of our friends - including superstar organist and broadcaster Anna Lapwood - about their favourite Bach pieces.Want to see the video version of this podcast? Watch here on YouTube – https://youtu.be/etxZzSAo-6QChaptersIntroduction - 0.00Linton’s favourite Bach piece - 4.09Bach’s beginnings (Toccata and Fugue in D minor) - 5.35A melody that transcends time (Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring) - 12.24The essence of Bach, and of music itself (Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major) - 17.40Why can’t classical musicians improvise anymore? (Brandenburg Concertos) - 24.02The father of harmony (Well-Tempered Clavier) - 28.44A painting with just two colours (Air on a G String) - 32.46Anna Lapwood’s favourite Bach works - 37.35Bach’s legacy - 38.32If you'd like to hear more from David Hill and The Bach Choir, our newsletter is the answer. Every month we send out performance videos, musical analysis, exclusive offers and details of The Bach Choir’s live concert dates. We’re currently giving away a free concert video of Rachmaninoff’s Vespers to new subscribers. Sign up here to have that full concert video sent to your email address – https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-signup/Linton’s podcast So, Hear Me Out, which he presents with Gillian Moore for Southbank Centre, is also all about getting more people into classical music. You can listen or watch it here – https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/so-hear-me-out/Change Your Tune is a Podcart production. The series producer is Jayne Morgan. Video by Joe Garvey.Pieces in this podcast (in order)JS Bach – Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565Performed by Kevin MacLeodJS Bach – Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147 (‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’)Performed by The Bach Choir (choir and piano version)JS Bach – Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147Performed by Orchestra Ali Armonici (orchestral version)JS Bach – Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147Performed by Michel Rondeau and Aline Letendre (organ and trumpet version)JS Bach – Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 (‘Air on a G String’)Performed by Philip MilmanJS Bach – Double Violin Concerto in D minor, BWV 1043Performed by the Advent Chamber Orchestra with David Parry and Roxana Pavel GoldsteinJS Bach – Prelude No. 1 in C major, BWV 846 (‘Well-Tempered Clavier’)By Audio LibraryJS Bach – Goldberg Variations, No. 25, BWV 988Performed by Shelley KatzJS Bach – Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068 (‘Air on a G String’)Music provided by Classical Music Copyright FreeJS Bach – Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 538 (‘Dorian Toccata’)Performed by Jarle FagerheimJS Bach – Concerto in G Major, BWV 1048 (‘Brandenburg Concertos’)Performed by Advent Chamber Orchestra

The Hallelujah Chorus is probably the world's most famous choral piece. Classically-trained singer turned successful comedian, Lloyd Griffith, joined us to talk about why this one part of Handel’s Messiah become so well-known, why he includes singing in his stand-up routines and why audiences can't believe their ears when he does. Here's his full interview with MD, David Hill.Find out more about The Bach Choir and sign up for our newsletter here https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-to-change-your-tune-ep-5/Read all about Lloyd's forthcoming tour - Lloyd Griffith: Baroque and Roll - here https://lloydgriffith.com/Change Your Tune is a Podcart production.

John Rutter is one of the world's leading choral music composers and he's known particularly for his carols. He was a very special guest on our seasonal season finale on Christmas music. Here's his full interview with David Hill. He lifts the lid on where carols come from, why the Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge has become such a festive tradition and the unexpected inspiration for one of his best-known pieces,The Shepherd's Pipe Carol.Get a playlist of The Bach Choir's favourite Christmas carols and receive monthly, behind-the-scenes updates on our activities by signing up to our monthly newsletter here - https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-to-change-your-tune-6See when John Rutter is next conducting his world-famous carols (and other compositions) live - https://johnrutter.com/events  Change Your Tune is a Podcart production. 

Change Your Tune is all about recognisable pieces of choral music - and there aren’t many that are more famous than The Hallelujah Chorus. But why has this one part of Handel’s Messiah become so well-known, what makes it special and why is it a tradition to stand up during performances of it? We get some answers with the help of top comedian, football pundit and classically-trained singer, Lloyd Griffith, who also tells us why his audiences can’t believe their ears when he sings in his stand-up routines.Find out more about The Bach Choir and sign up for our newsletter here https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-to-change-your-tune-ep-5/Read all about Lloyd's forthcoming tour - Lloyd Griffith: Baroque and Roll - here https://lloydgriffith.com/Change Your Tune is a Podcart production.

Radio 3's Linton Stephens reveals why he thinks O Fortuna is such an iconic piece. He's a professional bassoonist, a broadcaster, a teacher and someone who is passionate about introducing new audiences to classical music. He presents the Radio Three show, Classical Fix, where he invites music-loving guests to sample a playlist of classical music he has chosen especially for them. Here's our full interview with Linton.

Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana is probably the most-performed choral work of the past one hundred years. O Fortuna – its opening and closing – is one of the most recognisable choral pieces ever, used everywhere from adverts to computer games to talent shows. Why is it so popular? What gives it its impact? And why do some people have very negative feelings towards it? We unravel the answers to those questions with the help of BBC Radio 3’s Linton Stephens and Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall in the latest episode of Change Your Tune.Find out more about The Bach Choir and sign up for our newsletter here - https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-to-change-your-tuneChange Your Tune is a Podcart production.

Love Ssega is the former frontman-songwriter of the Grammy-winning group, Clean Bandit. He's now a successful solo artist and producer working across disciplines, combining music and visual art to raise awareness of the climate crisis. He was a 2022 Arts Foundation Fellow for Music For Change and he’s just finished a year as the Royal Festival Hall’s Philharmonia Orchestra’s artist in residence creating work that explores themes linking climate change and social justice. Beethoven's Ode to Joy has become an anthem of unity and protest. We couldn’t be talking to anyone more knowledgeable about using music to reach hearts and minds. Here’s Love Ssega's full interview with David. You can find all the music you hear in the interview here. Discover more about Love Ssega here.Listen to Episode 3 of Change Your Tune about Beethoven’s Ode To Joy here. Change Your Tune is a Podcart production.