How Great Thou Art
The power of the hymn, based on a Swedish poem, and now an Elvis classic, is explored. With Connie Smith. From September 2010.
An examination of the enduring popularity of the hymn, How Great Thou Art. Based on a Swedish poem by Carl Gustav Boberg, it was written by the British missionary Stuart Hine in 1949.
It subsequently become an Elvis Presley classic and as the country and western star , Connie Smith explains, it's the piece she always sings to close her show, the stirring lyrics and soaring melody having the ability to move and inspire audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
At the age of 101, George Beverly Shea shares his clear memories of singing it at hundreds of Billy Graham crusades.
Featuring:
Bud Boberg
Ray Bodkin
Bev Shea
Jerry Schilling
Malcolm Imhoff
David Darg
Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.
Producer: Lucy Lunt
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2010.
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Tue 28 Sep 2010 13:30BBC Radio 4- Sat 2 Oct 2010 15:30BBC Radio 4
- Fri 7 Oct 2016 18:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 8 Oct 2016 00:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Tue 30 Mar 2021 18:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Wed 31 Mar 2021 00:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
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