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Symphony

Simon Russell Beale

Andy King-Dabbs

Helen Mansfield

Sir Mark Elder

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Symphony: Episode 1: Genesis and Genius

Documentaries

Music: Classical: Orchestral

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

Genesis and Genius

Episode 1

Episode 1: Genesis and Genius

BBC Four - Symphony, Genesis and Genius

Simon Russell Beale takes a look at the symphonic works of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.

Simon Russell Beale's series looking at the history of the symphony begins with Haydn's arrival in England in 1791 and continues with Mozart and Beethoven.

Simon Russell Beale presents a radical reappraisal of the place of the symphony in the modern world and explores the surprising way in which it has shaped our history and identity. 

The first episode begins amidst the turmoil of the French Revolution with the arrival in England of Joseph Haydn, dubbed the 'Father of the Symphony'. It continues with Mozart, the genius who wrote his first symphony at the age of eight, and Beethoven, the revolutionary who created the idea of the artist as hero and whose Eroica Symphony changed music for ever. 

The music is performed by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, conducted by Sir Mark Elder.

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A reappraisal of the symphony's place in the modern world and how it shaped our identity

Simon Russell Beale presents a radical reappraisal of the place of the symphony in the modern world and explores the surprising way in which it has shaped our history and identity

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Episode 1: Genesis and Genius

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