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Close Harmony

Tom Service explores the world of close harmony and barbershop singing.

From Corsican polyphony to Jacob Collier, 50s rock and roll and global hit TV series Glee, close harmony runs through music traditions around the world: but nowhere is it more important than in barbershop, famous for its striped waistcoats, bow ties, and comedy parodies. But today over 70,000 singers of all ages and genders participate in barbershop societies around the world, coming together to compete and perform in quartets and larger choruses, enjoying its exuberant and expressive performance style, and revelling in its magical 'overtones'.

With Brian Lynch from the Barbershop Harmony Society in Nashville and members of the 成人快手 Singers, Tom explores what makes it so unique, from its vocal setting to its use of 'just intonation', and discovers the roots of its history, far from the exclusive Ivy League world it's thought to represent.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 11 Feb 2022 16:30

Music Played

  • Trad.

    Makruli

    Performer: The Tsinandali Choir.
    • Real World Records.
    • CDRW28.
  • The Everly Brothers

    Be Bop A Lula

    • ACE.
    • CDCHM-544.
  • The Andrews Sisters

    I'll Be With You In Apple Blossom Time

    • Music Club.
    • MCCD-199.
  • Gladys Knight & the Pips

    Best thing that ever happened to me

    • Warner Music UK.
    • 95483-3840 2.
  • Morten Lauridsen

    6 Madrigali - 'Fire songs' on Italian Renaissance poems for chorus

    Conductor: Nicol Matt. Performer: Chamber Choir of Europe.
    • Bayer Records.
    • BR 100 305.
  • Paul Simon

    The Sound Of Silence

    Performer: Simon & Garfunkel.
    • Sony.
    • 20141.
  • Jacob Collier

    In My Room

    • Q West / Membran.
    • promo.
  • Stefan Moutafchiev

    Sekoi Fali

    Performer: Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir.
    • Fontana.
    • 5158922.
  • Igor Stravinsky

    Ave Maria for chorus rev. [1949] from "Bogoroditse devo"

    Performer: The King鈥檚 Singers.
    • rca.
    • 09026 68255 2.
  • Barbershop Harmony Society

    The Sound of Music

  • Benj Pasek / Justin Paul

    Medley From The Greatest Showman

    Performer: Barbershop Harmony Society.
  • Hoyt S. Curtin

    The Flintstones Theme Tune

    Composer: Joseph Barbera. Composer: William Hannah. Performer: Jacob Collier.
  • Traditional

    Chakrulo

    Performer: Rustavi Choir.
    • Elektra Nonesuch.
    • 7559-792242.
  • Claudio Monteverdi

    Lamento della ninfa

    Performer: Concerto Italiano.
    • Brilliant Classics.
    • 99710.
  • The Everly Brothers

    Bye Bye Love

    • Acuff-Rose Opryland.
    • AROMG CD-50 01.
  • Jason Robert Brown

    The Next Ten Minutes

    Performer: Barbershop Harmony Society.
  • Glenn Tilbrook

    Evaline

    Composer: Stephen Large. Performer: 成人快手 Singers.
  • Giuseppe Verdi

    La Traviata - opera in 3 acts

    Performer: Voce di Corsica.
    • ovi.
    • OVI 45204.
  • The Treblemakers

    Don't Stop The Music

    • Universal.
    • 0602537159710.
  • John Fogerty

    Proud Mary

    Performer: Elio Pace.
  • John Fogerty

    Proud Mary

    Performer: Barbershop Harmony Society.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 29 Mar 2020 17:00
  • Fri 3 Apr 2020 16:30
  • Sun 6 Feb 2022 17:00
  • Fri 11 Feb 2022 16:30

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