Howard Goodall on BBC Two

[MrGongGong]

Sam Wollaston in 'The Guardian' -
"

Seems to miss the point entirely
"Classical" music has always had "gigs"
even the older members of the orchestra's I work with talk about gigs

Showing the connections between musics IS a way of understanding them
NOT to say that somehow it's a way of "selling" them BUT because its INTERESTING

When I discovered that Schubert and Rammstein shared a common language and thematic content it was interesting NOT because i could use it to somehow "sell" Schubert to teenage metalheads BUT the knowledge that everything connects together and not always in obvious ways is interesting and a valuable tool to apply to musics that you have no prior knowledge of.

[Pabmusic]

Seems to miss the point entirely
"Classical" music has always had "gigs"
even the older members of the orchestra's I work with talk about gigs

Showing the connections between musics IS a way of understanding them
NOT to say that somehow it's a way of "selling" them BUT because its INTERESTING

When I discovered that Schubert and Rammstein shared a common language and thematic content it was interesting NOT because i could use it to somehow "sell" Schubert to teenage metalheads BUT the knowledge that everything connects together and not always in obvious ways is interesting and a valuable tool to apply to musics that you have no prior knowledge of.

Agree 100%. I think Howard Goodall is doing an excellent job - after all, what a huge subject to tackle!

[MrGongGong]

Agree 100%. I think Howard Goodall is doing an excellent job - after all, what a huge subject to tackle!

I just wish they had inserted the word "WESTERN" in the title
(but , as someone pointed out to me that would get Grout's estate into court )

[Mr Pee]

I just wish they had inserted the word "WESTERN" in the title

I don't really see why that's necessary. It's perfectly clear to anybody watching that it's a history of Western music.

[jean]

Sam Wollaston in 'The Guardian' -

"...he tries very hard – too hard sometimes? – to make classical music accessible. Which he does by constantly searching for links with popular culture. "Chord sequences beloved of composers around 1700 are still the top harmonic sequences mined by composers of all styles today," he says..."

Perhaps (on the contrary) he's trying to make people like me listen to some popular music?

[LHC]

This could change when BBC HD is placed by BBC2 HD.

I doubt it. It is the proms shown on BBC2 that are also shown in HD at present. Indeed, the replacement of BBCHD could potentially result in fewer proms being shown in HD as at present BBCHD can show programmes from BBC3 and BBC4. Restricting its output to BBC2 programmes will mean these programmes won't be shown in HD unless they are also shown on BBC2. For example, several of the BBC4 composer documentaries were also shown on BBCHD, as were the Leeds Piano competition programmes. In future these won't be available in HD unless the BBC decides to repeat them on BBC2.

[MrGongGong]

I don't really see why that's necessary. It's perfectly clear to anybody watching that it's a history of Western music.

No it's not clear at all
A history of western music
Would be much clearer

[Russ_H]

anyway, as a goodwill gesture, try THIS for nothing

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/artsheritageandlibraries/librarieshome/libraryonlineresources.htm

go to the Naxos link and enjoy the Naxos Catalogue, advertisement free, courtesy of Wiltshire Council.

Thank you for this link. I've just spent an hour exploring their site. Tremendous.

[Flosshilde]

I watched last Saturday's programme & thought that it was interesting and informative - but terribly rushed. The material could have been spread over two (or more) programmes, or 'extras' available (as with DVDs) that could explain it in more depth, or even information about books to read.

[Stephen Whitaker]

I just wish they had inserted the word "WESTERN" in the title
(but , as someone pointed out to me that would get Grout's estate into court )

Someone aught to know that there is no copyright in titles.

[Mr Pee]

I watched last Saturday's programme & thought that it was interesting and informative - but terribly rushed. The material could have been spread over two (or more) programmes, or 'extras' available (as with DVDs) that could explain it in more depth, or even information about books to read.

I don't think it's a big secret that BBC budgets are not limitless, and a series such as this has to reflect that in the number of episodes it can run to. The series is designed to give an overview of Western music, for those who perhaps are not as informed on the subject as some contributors to these boards, and it does so admirably. For those who might wish to know more, a quick browse around Amazon or a trip down to the local library will produce a wealth of further reading.

[Flosshilde]

Yes, budgets are limited, & we're probably not going to see a 'Civilization' again (although there's plenty of money to splash out on broadcasting sport) but I think that's throwing the towel in a bit too soon. Listing some further reading and listening would cost virtually nothing. And Essential Classics has just broadcast a Handel aria as a follow-up to the programme (something I was about to suggest they do), & referred to a guide available on the BBC website. I don't recall these being sign-posted on the TV programme.

(as for the trip to the local library - better hurry, before they're closed by the government)

[Stephen Whitaker]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/storyofmusic/all

It's been happening twice a (week)day since the 28th of January and yes they were sign-posted after the programmes.

[Mr Pee]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/storyofmusic/all

It's been happening twice a (week)day since the 28th of January and yes they were sign-posted after the programmes.

[Mr Pee]

Yes, budgets are limited, & we're probably not going to see a 'Civilization' again (although there's plenty of money to splash out on broadcasting sport) but I think that's throwing the towel in a bit too soon. Listing some further reading and listening would cost virtually nothing. And Essential Classics has just broadcast a Handel aria as a follow-up to the programme (something I was about to suggest they do), & referred to a guide available on the BBC website. I don't recall these being sign-posted on the TV programme.

(as for the trip to the local library - better hurry, before they're closed by the government)

Well, there's not THAT much money for sport, is there? Look at the broadcast rights that have either been lost completely or drastically scaled back:- Football, Formula One, Cricket, nearly all tennis except Wimbledon, Horse Racing, the Boat Race....some sports fans might suggest that one or two fewer orchestras would free up a bit of dosh for sports coverage. Each to their own.