The four-part series, presented by Simon Russell Beale (pictured), explores what is often considered the highest form of musical expression in Western Classical music, and demonstrates the way in which it has shaped us and our modern world.
The award judges praised the intellectual depth and challenge of the series. The lead academic in the partnership was Dr Robert Samuels, chair of the Open University course AA302, From Composition to Performance: Musicians at work.
Associated material on OpenLearn also features essays by OU Music lecturers Dr Ben Winters and Dr Fiona Richards, which accompany each episode.
The series was produced as a collaboration between BBC Four; the Open University’s Music Department and Open Media Unit; BBC Orchestras; Radio 3; and the BBC Symphony Orchestra Learning division.
The series is currently being re-broadcast on BBC4 TV on Fridays and Saturdays, with the previous week’s episodes available on the BBC iPlayer.
More information
- Watch episodes of Symphony on BBC iPlayer
- Study Music at The Open University
- List of OU Music courses
