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Restoration England

From the diaries of Pepys and John Evelyn and the music of Purcell and Blow, and films such as The Libertine.

You'll hear extracts from the diaries of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn, and John Dryden's epic poem 1666, describing events from the reign of Charles II in England. On stage, battling husbands and wives were stock characters as theatres re-opened and drew in the crowds.

As Radio 3's series exploring the history of music Key Changes reaches the Restoration Court, Words and Music provides an accompanying selection of readings and music evoking the period from Rose Tremain's novel Restoration, Lucy M Boston's The Children of Green Knowe and Edward Bond's play Restoration. Our composers include Purcell and Blow, Michael Nyman’s film score for The Libertine which depicts the life of the poet courtier the Earl of Rochester, from the court of the Sun King in France, and from Vaughan Williams, inspired by Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. There were scientific discoveries both big and small, such as Halley’s Comet, and the use of microscopes by Robert Hooke and we'll hear words and music reflecting one of the great tragedies of the age, the Great Fire of London, and a celebration of women stepping on to the theatrical stage for the first time, including the famous Nell Gwyn.

Readers: Nicholas Farrell & Stella Gonet
Producer: Simon Funnell

Readings:
The Diary of Samuel Pepys
Tyrannic Love John Dryden
Restoration Rose Tremain
The Intrigues at Versailles D'Urfrey
Pilgrim’s Progress Bunyan
Restoration Edward Bond
The Children of Green Knowe LM Boston
The diary of John Evelyn
Robert Hooke
The Curious Life of Robert Hooke Lisa Jardine
Diary of Samuel Pepys
Traditional Ballad
By Permission of Heaven: The Story of the Great Fire of London Adrian Tinniswood

22 days left to listen

1 hour, 14 minutes

Last on

Last Sunday19:45
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:01

    Henry Purcell

    Chaconne in G minor, Z 730

    Music Arranger: Benjamin Britten. Orchestra: English Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Benjamin Britten.
    • Decca.
  • 00:04

    Michael Nyman

    Upon Leaving His Mistress (The Libertine)

    Conductor: Michael Nyman. Orchestra: Michael Nyman Orchestra.
    • The Libertine (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
    • Michael Nyman Records.
  • 00:11

    Henry Purcell

    When I am laid in earth (Dido and Aeneas)

    Singer: Lorraine Hunt Lieberson. Orchestra: Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale. Conductor: Nicholas McGegan.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
  • 00:15

    George Frideric Handel

    Organ Concerto in F major HWV.295 'The Cuckoo and the Nightingale' (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Simon Preston. Orchestra: The English Concert. Conductor: Trevor Pinnock.
    • Handel: Organ Concertos: Simon Preston.
    • Archiv Produktion.
  • 00:18

    Jean‐Baptiste Lully

    Canarie (Le bourgeois gentilhomme)

    Orchestra: Le Concert des Nations. Director: Jordi Savall.
    • Alia Vox.
  • 00:20

    Ralph Vaughan Williams

    The Pilgrim's progress - incidental music (Epilogue)

    Singer: Peter Coleman-Wright. Orchestra: Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Conductor: Richard Hickox.
    • Vaughan Williams: The Pilgrim's Progress.
    • Chandos.
  • 00:25

    Trad.

    The Jolly Pilgrim (Arr. for Ensemble by Bjarte Eike)

    Performer: Bjarte Eike. Music Arranger: Bjarte Eike. Lyricist: Thomas Guthrie. Ensemble: Barokksolistene.
    • The Playhouse Sessions - Bjarte Eike & Barokksolistene.
    • Rubicon.
  • 00:32

    Jonathan Dove

    Seek Him That Maketh the Seven Stars

    Performer: Harrison Cole. Choir: The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge. Conductor: Stephen Layton.
    • Let All the World in Every Corner Sing.
    • Hyperion.
  • 00:39

    Anon.

    Greensleeves to a Ground

    Performer: Michala Petri. Performer: David Petri. Performer: Hanne Petri.
    • Music For Recorder.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..
  • 00:44

    Maurizio Cazzati

    Correnti e balletti, Op. 30 : Nos. 11 Balletto No. 12 Corrente

    Performer: Luca Pianca.
    • The Art of Resonance: Archlute & Theorbo Music of the Italian Seicento.
    • Passacaille.
  • 00:48

    Béla Bartók

    Mikrokosmos Book 6: Six Dances in Bulgarian rhythm (Nos. 4 & 5)

    Performer: Cédric Tiberghien.
    • Bartok: Mikrokosmos 6 etc..
    • Hyperion.
  • 00:51

    Billie Eilish

    Halley's Comet

    • Tik Tock Hits 2022.
    • UME - Global Clearing House.
  • 00:53

    Franz Schubert

    Der Lindenbaum, D 911 No 5 (Winterreise)

    Singer: Mark Padmore. Performer: Paul Lewis.
    • Schubert Winterreise: Mark Padmore - Paul Lewis.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
  • 00:59

    Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck

    Pavana Lachrimae

    Composer: Public Domain.
    • Sweelinck: Works for Harpsichord.
    • Intermusic S.A..
  • 01:04

    Errollyn Wallen

    london's burning

    Performer: Errollyn Wallen. Singer: Errollyn Wallen.
    • Errollyn.
    • AVIE Records.
  • 01:07

    Trad.

    London's Burning

    Orchestra: National Youth Jazz Orchestra.
    • London Pride.
    • NYJO.
  • 01:10

    John Blow

    I Was Glad (final section)

    Singer: Robin Blaze. Singer: Rogers Covey‐Crump. Singer: Mark le Brocq. Singer: Andrew Dale Forbes. Choir: St Paul's Cathedral Choir. Orchestra: The Parley of Instruments. Conductor: John Scott.
    • Blow, Boyce & Handel: Music for St Paul's.
    • Hyperion.

Broadcast

  • Last Sunday19:45
    BBC Radio 3

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