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Bring Him Home

Episode 1 of 5

Exploring the lasting emotional impact of the song from the acclaimed musical, Les Miserables. With Alfie Boe. From 2016.

Bring Him Home is a beautiful and moving prayer-in-song that has developed meaning and identity outside of the hit musical, from Les Miserables.

What has been its impact?

Celebrated tenor, Alfie Boe has sung it many times in the West End and on Broadway. He discusses what the song means to him.

Herbert Kretzmer talks about the agonising process of writing the lyrics.

The Greater Manchester Police Male Voice Choir recorded a version especially for the programme; one of their members describes singing it at the funeral of PC Dave Phillips in 2015.

The original Cosette, from Les Miserables, Rebecca Caine now sings this song - written for a male voice - regularly as part of international recitals.

And for Becky Douglas it will forever be a reminder of her daughter whose death inspired the foundation of a leprosy charity.

Jeremy Summerly, Director of Music at St Peter's College, Oxford plays through the piece and describes why it moves us emotionally.

Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact.

Producer: Karen Gregor

First broadcast on 麻豆社 Radio 4 in April 2016.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Sat 20 Jul 2024 00:00

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Herbert Kretzmer, lyricist of Bring Him Home

Herbert Kretzmer, lyricist of Bring Him Home

Rebecca Caine, the first 'Cosette' in Les Mis

Rebecca Caine, the first 'Cosette' in Les Mis

Broadcasts

  • Tue 5 Apr 2016 11:30
  • Sat 9 Apr 2016 15:30
  • Fri 3 Nov 2017 18:30
  • Sat 4 Nov 2017 00:30
  • Tue 3 May 2022 18:30
  • Wed 4 May 2022 00:30
  • Fri 19 Jul 2024 10:00
  • Fri 19 Jul 2024 16:00
  • Sat 20 Jul 2024 00:00

Why Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come' became a Civil Rights anthem

Why Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come' became a Civil Rights anthem

Watch the animation - Professor Mary King describes how the song became a symbol of hope.

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