INTRODUCTION

The Birth of British Music is a series of BBC 2 programmes (scheduled for broadcast in  May 2009), presented by Charles Hazlewood, which trace the birth of Britain’s modern concert life through the lives and music of four towering figures, all of whom have major anniversaries this year: Henry Purcell, George Frideric Handel, Joseph Haydn and Felix Mendelssohn. This series will show how, as the concept of Great Britain was formed, the concept of British music was forged.
Read full details of the plans for Birth of British Music here.
The Birth of British Music series of documentaries is complemented by extended videos and interviews specially shot and edited for the website.
Click to view the extra videos for The Birth of British Music - Episode 4 (Mendelssohn).