Search - Howard Goodall's Big Bangs on DVD

It's finally available

Chronos467 | Pelham, Alabama | 06/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thanks for finally making this available on DVD. I recorded all of the episodes from Ovation TV earlier this year but the quality was poor, so I'll pick this up. This is a very witty and well researched series. The explanation of equal temperament is the best I've ever heard -- and I have a masters in music. I would've grasped the concept much quicker had I seen this presentation."

Great series!

Benjamin A. Opie | 09/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was lucky enough to see these broadcast on the Ovation network, and I'll be purchasing a copy shortly. This is absolutely some of the best music education I've ever seen. Like the Bernstein Young People's Concerts, these five shows can equally be enjoyed, understood, and appreciated by experienced musicians and non-musicians alike. All five subjects are approached with humor, and his examples cover a very wide range of musical expression."

'About Time' this was released on dvd

John Yiannakopoulos | Australia | 05/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you have any interest in music that goes beyond

a childs level this is an essential purchase.

Excellent production values, witty, amusing and

superb fun.

Would make a superb gift to anyone with even a

cursory interest in 'art' music - especially as an

introduction - buy it for a friend, relative or

anyone you care for and it just might turn into a

musical epiphany for them, which is what the intent

of the entire series is about.

You will not be dissapointed with this dvd or

anything else that Howard Goodall is in, everything

that he is involved in is essential.

The fifth episode is my favourite.

Yours Sincerely

John



"

Good Big Things, but could have been better

Michael J. Cook | Skokie, IL | 08/13/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Howard Goodall has presented important stages in the evolution of classical music in a very lively, entertaining manner. Particularly fascinating was the evolution of the 12 tone system based on the square root of two. I had never pondered why the scale of C followed by D E F G then A B C worked mathematically in addition to tonally.



If he went this far, then he should also explain in further detail how one can play an A major scale on the piano or a wind instrument or better still, F # minor. He presents the seminal piano work by Bach in which all the keys are played. But I would like to see and hear how the individual key signatures work. More importantly, I would have wished for more specific examples of why composers select the keys to convey happy or sad, tragic feelings. What is the significance of Mahler sketching his last symphony, the 10th in F# minor? Mahler seems to be handing music over to Berg and Schoenberg by exploring in atonality in bits and pieces.



Also, there are certain pieces that are forward looking in that they inspire a student or other composers in terms of tonality, orchestration. I refer to Haydn's "The Creation" which utilized a large orchestra or Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde" which also goes on the fringe of atonality as well. These should have been discussed more throughly."