For the kings and queens of England, a trumpet fanfare or crash of cymbals could be as vital a weapon as a cannon. Showcasing a monarch s power, prestige and taste, music has been the lifeblood of many a royal dynasty.From sacred choral works to soaring symphonies, Music and Monarchy looks at how England s character was shaped by its music. To David Starkey and Katie Greening, works like Handel s Water Music and Tallis s Mass for Four Voices were more than entertainment they were pieces signalling political intent, wealth and ambition.Starkey and Greening examine England s most iconic musical works to demonstrate how political power has been a part of musical composition for centuries. Many of our current musical motifs of nationhood, whether it s the Last Night of the Proms or football terraces erupting in song, have their origins in the way the crown has shaped the national soundtrack.Published to coincide with a major BBC series, Music and Monarchy is not a book about music. It is a history of England written in music, from our leading royal historian.
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