Nov 25, 2022
In this episode Jon talks to Dr Martin Clarke, a musicologist at
the Open University. We talk about the music in Newton's sermons,
West Gallery music and Thomas Hardy. We discuss how the most famous
tune associated with Amazing Grace came about so long after the
words were written. Finally we talk about the many inspiring and
iconic performances of the hymn that lead to it becoming one of the
most loved songs of all time.
https://www.open.ac.uk/people/mvc54
From July 2022 to July 2023 a small English town called Olney
will be at the centre of commemorations marking the 250th
anniversary of the writing of 'Amazing Grace' possibly the world's
most beloved hymn. The famous words were written by Revd John
Newton in the weeks leading up to his New Year's Day service at St
Peter & St Paul Church on 1st January 1773. The hymn, in various
musical styles, has gone on to inspire countless people and has
even become known in America as the nations's 'spiritual
anthem.'
https://cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk/amazing-grace-250-commemorations/