Father of the Chapel

Available for 25 days

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c.1525-1594) was one of the most influential composers in European classical music. With his countless masses, motets and madrigals, infused with a deep sense of spirituality and musical beauty, Palestrina was named the 'Saviour of Church Music' at a revolutionary time when Rome was rewriting the rules of music composition. But what do we know about this mysterious character, between historical fact and hagiographic myth? Donald Macleod follows the clues, to try and reconstruct the story of a fascinating composer, on the (approximately) 500th anniversary of his birth. In this fourth episode, a lifelong friendship, a papal jubilee, and a revamped St Peter's, but also some hard-hitting losses... Donald Macleod sees why Palestrina is considering becoming a priest. Missa Ut re mi fa sol la (Hexachord Mass) I. Kyrie The Sixteen Harry Christophers, conductor Io son ferito (instrumental version) Oliver Webber, violin Steven Devine, harpsichord Missa Brevis II. Gloria III. Credo Choir of King’s College, Cambridge Sir David Willcocks, conductor Canite tuba (arr for brass ensemble) Onyx Brass Felix Mendelssohn: 3 Motets, Op 39 No 1, Veni Domine (Hear my prayer, O Lord), MWV B24 St Albans Abbey Girls Choir Peter Holder, organ Tom Winpenny, conductor Deh hor foss’io col vago della luna (on a text by Petrarch) Dulces Exuviae Roman Bockler, baritone Bor Zuljan, lute Offertoria totius anni Jubilate Deo (arr A. Frackenpohl for brass ensemble) Canadian Brass The Berlin Philharmonic Brass Stabat Mater Gabrieli Consort Paul McCreesh, conductor Missa pro defunctis IV. Sanctus - Benedictus Chanticleer Presenter by Donald Macleod Produced by Julien Rosa A BBC Audio Wales & West production for BBC Radio 3