Have you ever wondered what makes choral music so powerful and why it’s used in so many movies, adverts, TV shows, sports events and computer games? Change Your Tune is our podcast, which sets out to answer these questions. In series one, our Musical Director David Hill and a number of special guests explore some of the world’s most iconic pieces of choral music ranging from Carl Orff’s iconic O Fortuna and Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. In series two, we celebrate our 150th Anniversary by focusing on our namesake Bach’s music – both choral and instrumental. Guests include film composers, pop music writers, presenters, comedians and more.
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. Plus we speak to choreographer Kim Brandstrup about his collaboration with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment which fuses Bach’s music and breakdancing.
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 so influential 300 years on? Find out more here. We also speak to superstar organist Anna Lapwood to find out what her favourite Bach work is…
The Dies Irae from Verdi’s Requiem gets used constantly in films, TV and computer games to summon up drama, chaos and catastrophe. David Hill delves into this inescapable movement and speaks to Hollywood composer Harry Gregson-Williams about why choral music and film go hand-in-hand. Find out more here.
Beethoven’s Ode to Joy from his 9th Symphony is arguably the most famous piece of protest music ever written. So why does it still inspire unity and action almost 200 years after its premiere? David Hill explores this question with musician and change-maker Love Ssega. Find out more here.
O Fortuna from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana is probably the most-performed choral work of the past one hundred years. What gives it its impact? And why do some people have very negative feelings towards it? We unravel the answers to some of those questions with the help of BBC Radio 3’s Linton Stephens and Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall. Find out more here.
There aren’t many pieces of choral music 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. Find out more here.
Christmas is coming and, even if you haven’t uttered a note all year, you might find yourself bursting into song. We probably know classics like O Come All Ye Faithful and Away in a Manger – but where do they come from and why do we sing them?
David Hill investigates with the help of classically-trained-singer-turned-comedian Lloyd Griffith (who remembers the ‘Lord of the Flies’ moments of his youth when it came to singing the solos) and one of the world’s most prolific Christmas carol composers, John Rutter. Find out more here.
If you’re enjoying the podcast, make sure you sign up to our mailing list for more exclusive content from David Hill and our guests. We’ll also let you know about all of our concerts if you sign up – we perform with some of the world’s best orchestras at venues like the Royal Albert Hall and the Southbank Centre.