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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

The Early Music Show

Music: Classical: Early Music

Performance and news from the world of early music.

An exploration of early music, looking at early developments in musical performance and composition in Britain and abroad. UK only: please note that not all episodes are podcast.

The Early Music Show: Fretwork Weekend

The Early Music Show: Fretwork Weekend: Episode 2: The World Encompassed

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Factual: History

The World Encompassed

Episode 2

Episode 2: The World Encompassed

Fretwork Weekend

BBC Radio 3 - The Early Music Show, Fretwork Weekend, The World Encompassed

Catherine Bott traces Drake's circumnavigation of the globe with music from Fretwork.

Catherine Bott traces Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the globe through a mixture of new and old music written and compiled by Orlando Gough and performed on viols by Fretwork.

As part of the Early Music Show's "Fretwork Weekend", Catherine Bott traces Sir Francis Drake's heroic circumnavigation of the Globe through a mixture of new and old music written and compiled by Orlando Gough and performed on viols by Fretwork. 

"The World Encompassed" was commissioned by Fretwork, inspired by the knowledge that Drake had with him on board his ship, The Golden Hind, his own consort of viols, who would play for prayers and for entertainment. Fascinated by the diverse range of cultures and the different kinds of music that Drake would have witnessed, Fretwork invited composer Orlando Gough to blend a mixture of period viol pieces alongside new music that would evoke the period and the places and the adventures that Drake and his crew were known to have encountered. The result is a large scale piece called "The World Encompassed"; a depiction of Drake's voyage in music for viols. The programme features highlights from the piece. 

Catherine Bott talks to Orlando Gough about the work, and about some of the colourful events from Drake's voyage. The music was recorded at a live concert given by Fretwork as part of the 2010 York Early Music Festival, from the Gallery of Harewood House. As well as items by Gough, "The World Encompassed" includes 16th Century music by John Taverner, Robert Parsons, Luys Milan, Orlando Mudarra and Christopher Tye.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Programmes devoted to the viol consort Fretwork, founded in 1985 by Richard Boothby

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Episode 2: The World Encompassed

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