Change Your Tune

150th Anniversary Special: Inside Bach's St Matthew Passion

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

West Side Story composer, Leonard Bernstein, described it as “the greatest single work in Western music”. But 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.

We also hear from acclaimed choreographer, Kim Brandstrup, about Breaking Bach – his irresistible collaboration with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment featuring young hip hop dancers’ joyful interpretation of Bach’s music. Plus we've got a special birthday message from Eurovision superstar, Sam Ryder.

Find the video edition of this episode - including footage from Breaking Bach – here https://youtu.be/fgB74cpmIkA

If you’d like to come to The Bach Choir’s next performance of the St Matthew Passion you can find details here - https://thebachchoir.org.uk/whats-on/

Discover more about Breaking Bach here - https://oae.co.uk/introducing-breaking-bach/

The version of the aria Erbarme Dich Mein Gott in this episode is from the 2019 recording of the St Matthew Passion by The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, and the Academy of Ancient Music conducted by Sir Stephen Cleobury and featuring alto David Allsopp. Find it here https://kingscollegechoir.com/recording/bach-matthew-passion/

To hear more from David Hill and The Bach Choir, sign up to our newsletter.. Every month we send out performance videos, musical analysis, exclusive offers and details of The Bach Choir’s live concert dates. We’re currently giving away a free concert video of Rachmaninoff’s Vespers to new subscribers - sign up here to watch it now - https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-signup/

Change Your Tune is a Podcart production - https://www.podcart.co.uk/. The Series Producer is Jayne Morgan.

The videographer is Joe Garvey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

150th Anniversary Special: Bach's Greatest Hits

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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 still so influential 300 years on? To celebrate The Bach Choir’s 150th Anniversary, we’ve made three special episodes all about Bach and his best-known compositions.

This time our host and Musical Director, David Hill, is joined by BBC Radio 3’s Linton Stephens to talk about six of Bach’s most famous pieces. Along the way they tackle musical taboos (why can’t most classical musicians improvise?), classical music wrangles (did Bach actually write the Toccata and Fugue?), and great stories (why did Bach once threaten a bassoonist with a sword?). Plus, we hear from some of our friends - including superstar organist and broadcaster Anna Lapwood - about their favourite Bach pieces.

Want to see the video version of this podcast? Watch here on YouTube – https://youtu.be/etxZzSAo-6Q

Chapters

Introduction - 0.00

Linton’s favourite Bach piece - 4.09

Bach’s beginnings (Toccata and Fugue in D minor) - 5.35

A melody that transcends time (Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring) - 12.24

The essence of Bach, and of music itself (Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major) - 17.40

Why can’t classical musicians improvise anymore? (Brandenburg Concertos) - 24.02

The father of harmony (Well-Tempered Clavier) - 28.44

A painting with just two colours (Air on a G String) - 32.46

Anna Lapwood’s favourite Bach works - 37.35

Bach’s legacy - 38.32

If you'd like to hear more from David Hill and The Bach Choir, our newsletter is the answer. Every month we send out performance videos, musical analysis, exclusive offers and details of The Bach Choir’s live concert dates. We’re currently giving away a free concert video of Rachmaninoff’s Vespers to new subscribers. Sign up here to have that full concert video sent to your email address – https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-signup/

Linton’s podcast So, Hear Me Out, which he presents with Gillian Moore for Southbank Centre, is also all about getting more people into classical music. You can listen or watch it here – https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/so-hear-me-out/

Change Your Tune is a Podcart production.

The series producer is Jayne Morgan.

Video by Joe Garvey.

Pieces in this podcast (in order)

JS Bach – Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565

Performed by Kevin MacLeod

JS Bach – Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147 (‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’)

Performed by The Bach Choir (choir and piano version)

JS Bach – Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147

Performed by Orchestra Ali Armonici (orchestral version)

JS Bach – Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147

Performed by Michel Rondeau and Aline Letendre (organ and trumpet version)

JS Bach – Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 (‘Air on a G String’)

Performed by Philip Milman

JS Bach – Double Violin Concerto in D minor, BWV 1043

Performed by the Advent Chamber Orchestra with David Parry and Roxana Pavel Goldstein

JS Bach – Prelude No. 1 in C major, BWV 846 (‘Well-Tempered Clavier’)

By Audio Library

JS Bach – Goldberg Variations, No. 25, BWV 988

Performed by Shelley Katz

JS Bach – Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068 (‘Air on a G String’)

Music provided by Classical Music Copyright Free

JS Bach – Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 538 (‘Dorian Toccata’)

Performed by Jarle Fagerheim

JS Bach – Concerto in G Major, BWV 1048 (‘Brandenburg Concertos’)

Performed by Advent Chamber Orchestra

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The Full Lloyd Griffith Interview

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 10:09:36 GMT

The Hallelujah Chorus is probably the world's most famous choral piece. Classically-trained singer turned successful comedian, Lloyd Griffith, joined us to talk about why this one part of Handel’s Messiah become so well-known, why he includes singing in his stand-up routines and why audiences can't believe their ears when he does. Here's his full interview with MD, David Hill.

Find out more about The Bach Choir and sign up for our newsletter here https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-to-change-your-tune-ep-5/

Read all about Lloyd's forthcoming tour - Lloyd Griffith: Baroque and Roll - here https://lloydgriffith.com/

Change Your Tune is a Podcart production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Full John Rutter Interview

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 11:29:47 GMT

John Rutter is one of the world's leading choral music composers and he's known particularly for his carols. He was a very special guest on our seasonal season finale on Christmas music. Here's his full interview with David Hill. He lifts the lid on where carols come from, why the Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge has become such a festive tradition and the unexpected inspiration for one of his best-known pieces,The Shepherd's Pipe Carol.

Get a playlist of The Bach Choir's favourite Christmas carols and receive monthly, behind-the-scenes updates on our activities by signing up to our monthly newsletter here - https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-to-change-your-tune-6

See when John Rutter is next conducting his world-famous carols (and other compositions) live - https://johnrutter.com/events

Change Your Tune is a Podcart production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Christmas Carols Special with John Rutter and Lloyd Griffith

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 02:00:31 GMT

Christmas is coming and, even if you haven’t uttered a note all year, you might find yourself bursting into song. You 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 main solo in the carol concert) and one of the world’s most prolific Christmas carol composers, John Rutter.

Carols mentioned in this festive special include: Away in a Manger; The Shepherd’s Pipe Carol by John Rutter; Hark The Herald Angels Sing; O Come all Ye Faithful featuring the David Willcocks descant; Once in Royal David’s City; Gaudete arranged by David Hill.

Get tickets to Lloyd Griffith's upcoming Baroque and Roll tour here - https://lloydgriffith.com/#live

See when John Rutter is next conducting his world-famous carols (and other compositions) live - https://johnrutter.com/events

Change Your Tune is a Podcart production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hallelujah Chorus with Lloyd Griffith

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 10:46:55 GMT

Change Your Tune is all about recognisable pieces of choral music - and there aren’t many 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, who also tells us why his audiences can’t believe their ears when he sings in his stand-up routines.

Find out more about The Bach Choir and sign up for our newsletter here https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-to-change-your-tune-ep-5/

Read all about Lloyd's forthcoming tour - Lloyd Griffith: Baroque and Roll - here https://lloydgriffith.com/

Change Your Tune is a Podcart production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Full Linton Stephens Interview

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 10:20:29 GMT

Radio 3's Linton Stephens reveals why he thinks O Fortuna is such an iconic piece. He's a professional bassoonist, a broadcaster, a teacher and someone who is passionate about introducing new audiences to classical music. He presents the Radio Three show, Classical Fix, where he invites music-loving guests to sample a playlist of classical music he has chosen especially for them. Here's our full interview with Linton.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

O Fortuna (Carmina Burana) with Linton Stephens and Anne-Marie Minhall

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 09:31:56 GMT

Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana is probably the most-performed choral work of the past one hundred years. O Fortuna – its opening and closing – is one of the most recognisable choral pieces ever, used everywhere from adverts to computer games to talent shows. Why is it so popular? What gives it its impact? And why do some people have very negative feelings towards it? We unravel the answers to those questions with the help of BBC Radio 3’s Linton Stephens and Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall in the latest episode of Change Your Tune.

Find out more about The Bach Choir and sign up for our newsletter here - https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-to-change-your-tune

Change Your Tune is a Podcart production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Full Love Ssega Interview

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 01:45:46 GMT

Love Ssega is the former frontman-songwriter of the Grammy-winning group, Clean Bandit. He's now a successful solo artist and producer working across disciplines, combining music and visual art to raise awareness of the climate crisis. He was a 2022 Arts Foundation Fellow for Music For Change and he’s just finished a year as the Royal Festival Hall’s Philharmonia Orchestra’s artist in residence creating work that explores themes linking climate change and social justice.

Beethoven's Ode to Joy has become an anthem of unity and protest. We couldn’t be talking to anyone more knowledgeable about using music to reach hearts and minds.

Here’s Love Ssega's full interview with David.

You can find all the music you hear in the interview here.

Discover more about Love Ssega here.

Listen to Episode 3 of Change Your Tune about Beethoven’s Ode To Joy here.

Change Your Tune is a Podcart production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ode to Joy (Beethoven's 9th Symphony) with Love Ssega

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 01:00:47 GMT

Beethoven’s Ode To Joy is one of the world’s most recognisable and inspiring tunes. It’s become a global anthem for unity and defiance - from the Tiananmen Square student uprisings to the fall of the Berlin Wall to protesting Brexit. But where does it come from? And what makes it so powerful? Of course, music is still a driver for change. Founding member of Grammy-winning chart toppers, Clean Bandit, Love Ssega, reveals how he’s using his work to drive home the climate crisis message.

Listen now! We bet you’re more into choral than you think.

Find our special anthem-inspired playlist plus the video of our “one night only!” closing piano duet here - https://www.thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening/

Check out Love Ssega and his music here:

https://lovessega.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5NxG91O2LcOKUktBYVWiWd

Discover more on the documentary Following the Ninth here - http://www.followingtheninth.com/

Change Your Tune is a Podcart production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Full Harry Gregson-Williams Interview

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 19:06:20 GMT

Listen to our full interview with the award-winning film composer, Harry Gregson-Williams. The creator of soundtracks for Shrek, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Martian, X-Men Origins, House of Gucci and many others, he lets us into some of the secrets behind making a successful movie score.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Verdi's Dies Irae with Harry Gregson-Williams

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 12:11:36 GMT

From Mad Max to Django Unchained, Verdi’s Dies Irae gets used in films, TV shows and computer games to summon up drama, chaos and catastrophe. But why was it written in the first place? What makes it so dramatic? And what is a Dies Irae anyway? We reveal all as well as getting inside the musical mind of one of Hollywood’s most sought-after film composers – the creator of soundtracks for Shrek, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Martian, X-Men Origins, House of Gucci and many others, Harry Gregson-Williams. Listen now! We bet you’re more into choral than you think.

Find our special Requiem-inspired playlist plus a video about the Dies Irae chant and its use in films here - https://www.thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening/

Change Your Tune is a Podcart production.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Change Your Tune

Mon, 01 May 2023 15:44:28 GMT

There's more choral music in your life than you think - from movies to computer games, TV to sporting events. It's used because it moves people. But what makes it so powerful? Change Your Tune takes you on a journey of musical discovery into iconic pieces from The Hallelujah Chorus to O Fortuna! (or The X Factor Judges' walk on music!) We're starting with Handel's Zadok the Priest - UEFA Champions League theme and sung at every coronation for nearly 300 years - including King Charles'. We explore what makes the piece so powerful. Hosted on Acast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.