Stephanie Hughes introduces a concert of Catalan music from the Renaissance to the Baroque arranged for Radio 3 by Jordi Savall and performed by La Capella Reial de Catalunya in the magnificent setting of Barcelona's 15th-century cathedral.
Part 1: From the Conquest of Naples to the Death of Philip II. Instrumental and vocal pieces from the Montecassino Songbook (1450-99), songs and fantasias from
Valencia and Barcelona (1500-50) and Catalan madrigals and dances from the late 16th century.
8.15 Twenty Minutes: Adventure and Acquisition During the interval, Stephanie Hughestakes a tour of the cathedral and talks to music historians Tess Knighton and Juan Jose Carreras about the sometimes turbulent background to the works in tonight's programme.
8.35 Part 2: From Philip /// to the Reapers' Revolution and the War of Succession
Songs of heroes and the music of battle as well as spiritual works reflecting the long period of strife and austerity which bedevilled Catalan life in the 17th century.