2. Popularising Early Music

In the second episode of the series reflecting on the Early Music maverick David Munrow and his views and impact in the music scene throughout the 1960s and 70s, Edward Blakeman examines why he became a controversial figure, and at what cost - fifty years after his death.

Munrow's breakthrough recordings, many of them with The Early Music Consort of London, an ensemble he created in 1967, helped to popularise this genre and brought a breath of fresh air in the music industry, exploring material entirely new to audiences, even to expert ones. However, his working methods and practices, which sometimes included adaptations and experiments, created tensions among academics and the wider Early Music world.

In this chapter, Edward explores the controversies around Munrow's work and how this maverick musician reacted to it all.

With contributions by music expert Edward Breen, who's researched Munrow's life and career, this episode is recorded at the Royal Academy of Music, looking at an extensive archive of his papers and scores.