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Craft and Traditions

Sara Mohr-Pietsch investigates a crisis in traditional instrument building, and Jennifer Walshe muses on the delights and horrors of Christmas musical kitsch.

Presented by Sara Mohr-Pietsch

Sara investigates the state of early music instrument building in the UK, amid concerns from some of today's makers about a missing generation of traditional craftspeople. With harpsichord builder Andrew Wooderson, maker of viols Shem Mackey, and Richard Earle, a player and maker of baroque oboes.

Introducing a new series on Music Matters exploring dialects and languages around the British Isles and how they influence music-making, Sara talks to the English folklore expert Steve Roud, and finds out about songs in the Scots language from singer Steve Byrne.

The composer and vocalist Jennifer Walshe muses on the delights and horrors of Christmas musical kitsch.

And Sara visits the Nottingham Contemporary art gallery for a new exhibition, From Ear to Ear to Eye, which uses sound, music and listening to reflect on stories across the Arab world. Two of the featured artists, Jumana Manna and Haig Aivazian, introduce their work and share their passion for exploring oriental musical cultures.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Mon 18 Dec 2017 22:00

Chapters

  • Instrument Makers

    Duration: 13:25

  • Hidden Dialects

    Duration: 10:27

  • Christmas Kitsch

    Duration: 07:52

  • From Ear to Ear to Eye

    Duration: 10:39

Jennifer Walshe's Christmas Kitsch

John Lennon & Yoko Ono – Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

Michael Bublé – It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Wham – Last Christmas

The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl – Fairytale of New York

John Zorn – Winter Wonderland

Béla Fleck – Jingle Bells

Mediaeval Baebes – Good King Wenceslas

John Fahey – Silent Night

Tom Waits – Postcard from a Hooker in Minneapolis

Wesley Willis – Merry Christmas

Lucas and Friends – O Little Town of Bethlehem

RuPaul – Santa Baby

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Sara Mohr-Pietsch
Interviewed Guest Jennifer Walshe

Broadcasts

  • Sat 16 Dec 2017 12:15
  • Mon 18 Dec 2017 22:00

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