Two of the 20^th century’s most popular orchestral works are based on hymns—one from 16^th century England, and the other from 19^th century America.  And both hymns are well-known today almost entirely because of their use in those two concert pieces.

In this hour, the story of the Tudor hymn that inspired Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis--and the Shaker tune “Simple Gifts,” rediscovered by Aaron Copland and made famous in perhaps his best-known work, Appalachian Spring.