The significance of music in the early modern age
Broadcaster, writer and music aficionado Suzy Klein takes us
on a thoughtful and melodious journey, exploring the transformation of music in
the 19th century. Travelling to key centres in Europe, she shows how musicians
and composers played their part in an era of industrial, political and
technological revolution, and how music became the leading art form of the
modern age, and an essential part of the lives of millions. We start by
investigating the unrivalled creative outpouring at the start of the 19th
century. Suzy shows how, capitalising on the decline of the aristocracy and the
new wealth created by the industrial revolution, composers and performers such
as Beethoven, Berlioz and Liszt became the superstars of their age, commanding
fanatical followings and embarking on bold experimental work. In the second
episode we look at how music became a revolutionary force that could – and did–
change the world. Even opera became politically potent, fanning the flames of
nationalism in Germany and in Italy, where the music of Verdi helped unify a
newly formed nation. Finally we investigate the technological revolution – and
how it allowed music to burst out of court, church and concert hall into the
world, transcending language and borders. Suzy travels to the site of the great
Paris Exposition of 1889 and visits factories where developments in
manufacturing created new experimental instruments such as the saxophone. And
in the spirit of the new age, she makes her first recording on a vintage
phonograph, one of the earliest recording machines.
Episode 1 - WE CAN BE HEROES’
Episode 2 - TALKIN’ ‘BOUT A REVOLUTION
Episode 3 - PARTY LIKE IT’S 1899
