Episodes
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The Medici Popes - Part 2: The most unfortunate of Popes
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...
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The Medici Popes - Part 1: Cousins in arms
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…
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The Four Seasons: Autumn
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...
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The Four Seasons: Spring
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...
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The Four Seasons: Summer
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...
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London International Festival of Early Music
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…
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The Four Seasons: Winter
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...
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Early Music in Iceland
Hannah French is joined by musicologist and conductor Árni Heimir Ingólfsson to explore early Icelandic music - from the 13thC century poems known as “Eddas” to the influence of mainland Europe which shaped Iceland’s rich sacred choral traditions, that still continue today. To listen to this...
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The Music of Wolf Hall
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...
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Ton Koopman at 80
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…
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The Notre-Dame School and its musical legacy
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,...
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Gold
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...
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London International Festival of Early Music
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…
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London International Festival of Early Music
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.
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John Wilbye's madrigals
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.
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Ensemble Augelletti - A Curious MInd
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…
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The Rise and Fall of JB Lully
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…
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Silver
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…
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Bronze
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…
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Matthias Weckman
Lucie Skeaping looks at the life and music of German organist and composer Matthias Weckmann, who died 350 years ago this month.
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Chinoiserie
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.
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Early Music for Christmas Eve
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…
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Alessandro Stradella: Music, mayhem and murder
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…
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Carl Friedrich Abel
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.
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Early Music in Derbyshire
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.
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The Tallis Scholars at 50
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.
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Fifty years of the Academy of Ancient Music
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...
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Guillaume de Machaut
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...
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The Taverner Consort at 50
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.
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Antonio Cesti
"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…
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Dutch Organ Improvisation
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.
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William Byrd's keyboard music
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…
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Bach's arrival in Leipzig
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...
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The Trouveres
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...
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The Brabant Ensemble at 25
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...
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The Museum of Renaissance Music
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...
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Follow the Lieder
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.
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Clare Salaman: A Tribute
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...
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Happy New Year with Stile Antico and William Byrd
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.
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Gabrieli at 40
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...
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His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts at 40
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.
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The Akademie für alte Musik Berlin at 40
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...
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Dunedin Consort's silver anniversary
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.
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Robert Parsons
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.
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The Vivaldi Edition
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…
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Belinda Sykes: A Tribute
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.
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John Blanke's England
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...
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Réunion des goûts
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.
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Handel in Cambridge
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...
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Thomas Tomkins
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...
About this show
An exploration of early music, looking at early developments in musical performance and composition in Britain and abroad. UK only: please note that not all episodes are podcast.
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BBC Radio 3
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