Music of the Monarchy

Much of the music which has come to define the sound of Great Britain was originally created for its monarchy. In this programme, David Starkey hosts a selection of full-length royal classics, performed by our finest singers and instrumentalists, in some of the splendid historic locations for which they were first written, including Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and St Paul's Cathedral. Alongside well-loved favourites such as Handel's Zadok the Priest, Parry's Jerusalem and Holst's I Vow To Thee My Country, there are masterpieces by Purcell, Mendelssohn, Byrd and Tallis. There is even the chance to hear music composed by royals themselves, with glorious performances of works by Henry V, Henry VIII and Prince Albert.