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Rule Britannia! Music, Mischief and Morals in the 18th Century

Suzy Klein

Steve Freer

Paul Bullock

Rule Britannia! Music, Mischief and Morals in the 18th Century: Episode 2

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Factual: History

Music: Classical

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

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Episode 2

BBC Four - Rule Britannia! Music, Mischief and Morals in the 18th Century, Episode 2

As money poured in from Britain's trade empire, music became a tool for social mobility.

Series about 18th-century British music. As money poured in from its trade empire, Britain rediscovered a taste for pleasure and fun, and music became a tool for social mobility.

Broadcaster and writer Suzy Klein explores the remarkable music that became the soundtrack to the roaring 18th century. 

As money poured in from a flourishing trade empire, the British rediscovered a taste for pleasure and fun, and music was at the very centre of it. Aspiring young girls played the keyboard to attract a good husband and nothing beat dancing a minuet if you wanted a place in the best society. 

Europe's best composers and performers descended upon Britain, certain that the 'rage for music' would make them rich. Music had become a tool for social mobility, but it was also starting to shape the physical fabric of Britain - concert halls, assembly rooms and pleasure gardens sprang up across the country as the thirst for entertainment grew.

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

The story of the composers and musicians that shaped Britain's 18th-century musical map.

Series in which broadcaster and writer Suzy Klein tells the story of the composers and musicians that helped shape the musical map of Britain in the 18th century.

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Rule Britannia! Music, Mischief and Morals in the 18th Century

Episode 2

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