Presenting a programme on BBC Radio 4, Music Sales composer Jocelyn Pook considers the musical magnificence of Hallelujah. Musicians have been helplessly drawn to it for millennia. Sung by Jews and Christians, it also resonates with Muslims. It is rapturous and versatile to sing and sounds lyrical and complete in any language. This feature is a true celebration of the word and its musical magnificence which has inspired composers and songwriters from the Psalms through Monteverdi, Handel, Vivaldi, Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen. For this programme, Jocelyn has composed a beautiful rendition of Hallelujah in a new piece of music which is available to download on itunes. You can ‘listen again’ to the programme here
