This uniquely cross-sectional approach to culture combines great art with great music, and examines the connections between the two. Each piece of music from the carefully chosen selection takes on a new dimension and provides a musical context to the work of leading painters and sculptors. This fascinating series, with a colour booklet including a chronology of the principal artistic and political developments of the period, broadens our view of the music itself.

Baroque painting begins with Caravaggio (1571-1610), who in a short and violent life created a new style of naturalism. His scenes of sacred history are like brief flashes of lightning, capturing all the drama and horror of a single moment. On this audio, the world of Caravaggio is given a musical perspective with a carefully chosen selection of pieces by the finest composers of his time.

This inspiring and beautiful collection of pieces by Palestrina, Gabrieli, Monteverdi, Cavalieri, and Banchieri reflects the musical environment during Caravaggio's lifetime. To discover real connections between this innovative artist and such prominent musical figures of the day sets his work in a wider context - a painting like The Musicians, at least, may be seen with new meaning.