First of six programmes exploring the great works of 20th-century classical music and the musical renaissance that has occurred in Britain over the past 100 years.

The series begins with the story of Ralph Vaughan Williams's 15-minute masterpiece Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, which was written in and was the first British work this century to gain success abroad. The piece was composed with the acoustics of Gloucester Cathedral in mind and it is there that the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Davis, performs the work - re-creating the impact of its 1910 premiere. The programme also contains interviews with Vaughan Williams's widow Ursula and the late British composer Sir Michael Tippett. Presented by Michael Berkeley.
(Coverage of this year's Proms season begins on Friday at 7.30pm)
Director/Producer Peter Maniura
Digital widescreen An accompanying series, Masterworks, begins on Radio 3 tomorrow at 2.55pm
BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis is on a CD available free with the July edition of the magazine, which is £3.95
* See People: page 14