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Music of the World
 

		200 Years of Mozart While students from the Vienna University of Music prepare for a performance of The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart's life and musical accomplishments are considered.
		60s Music Video Album Classic performances by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Fontella Bass, The Zombies, and others will take you back to the years of brotherly love, social unrest, and hope for the future.
		70s Music Video Album Great performers such as Stevie Wonder, Peter Frampton, Todd Rundgren, and others perform their hits in an original production which includes news footage from the era.
		African Drumming and Dance Learn the significance and history of these art forms, as authentic drummers and dancers perform before a live audience.
		American Folk Music Like the immigrants who brought them to America, the folk ballads of Britain and Ireland retained much of their heritage while becoming something new on American soil.
		Amid Tears and Sorrow On a presentation copy of his A Major Cello Sonata, Beethoven wrote Inter lachrymas et luctus— amid tears and sorrow. Despite its inscription, the A Major Cello Sonata is basically not a sad work. The irony for us is in the performance by Barenboim and his wife, the late Jacqueline du Pre. Hailed as the greatest cellist of this century, she contracted multiple sclerosis shortly after this performance was filmed. Beethoven had, by the time he wrote this sonata, apparently learned to deal with his deafness; Jacqueline du Pre never played again.
		Appassionata Its very name tells us about the emotional strength of this piano sonata. But it is a work of music, and therefore abstract. It does not correspond to events in the composer’s life, nor can it be adequately described in words and images. The wordless experience must be the listener’s own. In this program, Barenboim plays the sonata in its entirety.
		Basic Music Vocabulary The study of music involves learning some specialized vocabulary . This video defines the essential terms and expressions and illustrates each item with examples.
		Beethoven and the Sonata Form Form was a continuing concern for Beethoven—the structure and inner logic of music, the way themes are built and developed and which elements are juxtaposed, and particularly the creation of unity from opposing ideas and themes. That is why the sonata form suited him so well, because it is based on this kind of contrast. Barenboim uses the first movement of the Waldstein Sonata as an illustrative case, examining the statement and development of subjects, the contrasts in melody and rhythm, the nature of the transitions, the structure of the recapitulation, the impact of the coda. After analyzing these elements, he performs the movement without interruption.
		Beethoven the Promethean Barenboim illustrates and explains Beethoven’s individualistic style, how he made the musical tradition of Haydn and Mozart his own, and the link between his music and his personal struggles and deafness. Selections performed: Symphony No. 2, Sonata for Piano No. 1, Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in C minor, Mozart’s Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in C minor, Beethoven’s Sonata for Piano in C minor and Mozart’s Sonata for Piano in C minor, Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G minor, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and 7 (last movement complete).
		Bluegrass Roots: On The Road With Bluegrass Musicians David Hoffman captured the stories of 15 Life Magazine photographers for this TV special. Each photographer presents best photographs and tells behind-the-scenes stories of how they were made. The results are extremely valuable for photographers and photojournalists, but also emotional for other viewers who want to relive some of the greatest moments of the 20th century, and some of the silliest as well.
		Bowed Instruments In the 11th century, European musicians tried to make their instruments sound like the human voice. Instead of plucking the strings, they began drawing a piece of wood or bone across them to sustain the tone. By Elizabethan times, the viol was the aristocrat of bowed instruments, while the violin was considered fit only for pubs and parties. This program shows how fashions as well as musical instruments changed. (30 minutes)
		Brass Instruments The development of brass instruments from the lowly cowhorn. Although trumpet fanfares and brass bands are relatively recent in the history of music, even the bone or wooden ancestors of the trumpet were associated with royalty, pomp, or war. David Munrow explains how pitch variations are achieved with these brasses.
		Cantemos en Espanol (Spanish) This enjoyable learning experience for all ages presents favorite Latin American songs in a sing-along format. Young Colombian musicians perform classic songs.
		The Complete Bascom Lamar Lunsford Bluegrass Story Lunsford was a superb mountain musician who spent his life hunting down the songs, dances and unknown performers of the Appalachian region. He fought to bring dignity to "hillbilly music" and this made him a folk hero. He recorded thousands of songs for the Smithsonian. In the summer of 1928, he created the first Bluegrass Festival by founding his first Asheville Mountain Dance and Folk Festival.
		Comprehensive Vision Beethoven’s last appearance in concert was in the Fourth Piano Concerto—one of the least dramatic of his works. Without the shattering emotion of the Eroica, the Fifth or the Ninth Symphonies, or the power of the Emperor Concerto, the tragic sense of the Third, or the glittering virtuosity of the First and Second, the Fourth Concerto is the index to Beethoven’s breadth of creative vision. Barenboim performs the complete first movement of the Fourth Piano Concerto with Sir Adrian Boult conducting the New Philharmonia Orchestra. (28 minutes)
		Computers in Music: Composing Made Easy Adding music to technology creates a powerful combination that opens the door to endless creative possibilities for young people. Ray Dretske introduces students to the art of composing. Open a creative young mind today!
		Early Musical Instruments The ancestors to modern instruments are described and demonstrated by the Early Music Consort of London. Narrated by David Munrow.
		Family & Survival This program investigates the state of the American family. Less than 5% of American households fit the stereotype of the traditional nuclear family with a working father and a wife/mother who stays home to take care of the house and children. The stresses created by divorce, both parents working, and single-parenting are far more common today. It is the children who bear the heaviest burden.
		Fifth Symphony The more one knows about Beethoven’s music, the less necessary is it to say anything. By this time, students should understand the relationship between Beethoven’s deafness and his composition, his use of sudden contrasts and about-faces, his mastery of the orchestra, his handling of melody, variation, development, transition, and recapitulation. Suffice it, then, to conclude this series with a performance of the complete Symphony Number 5 in C minor, performed by the New Philharmonia Orchestra under the direction of Daniel Barenboim.
		Flutes and Whistles Primitive men developed the first musical instruments when they used tubes of bamboo, bone, or wood to produce whistling sounds. The ancient Greeks later played pan-pipes. This program shows what happened as the same principle was applied to a wide range of instruments.
		History of Wind Instruments This video takes you on a tour through the evolution of wind instruments and shows you how they are being used in modern music. Discover the world of wind instruments.
		Instruments of the Orchestra Join us in the concert hall as we explore the four types of instruments that beautifully combine to form an orchestra. The string, woodwind, brass, and percussion families are each discussed and demonstrated. This is an excellent introduction to the elements of an orchestra
		Introduction to Computers in Music Musical technology can open up a wealth of creativity in young people. Ray Dretske shares topics from his acclaimed All-School Assembly Program. Live footage of his performance for school children is included.
		Jazz Jazz is the uniquely American musical idiom which has swept the world. Explore the development of the hot licks and cool sounds of America's homegrown music.
		Journey Through Jazz The powerful emotions and cultural significance of jazz music provide the backdrop for this artistic exploration.
		Keyboard and Percussion A close look at such rarities as the dulcimer and the hurdy-gurdy, as well as better-known instruments like the organ, harpsichord, and kettledrums.
		Last Piano Sonata Opus 111, Beethoven’s last sonata, has only two movements; there appears to be nothing further to say. The first movement shows his terrifying energy; the second is serene, elemental. Barenboim analyzes the development of subjects, the contrasts in melody and rhythm, the shape of the transitions, the structure of the recapitulation and the coda, and then plays the second movement in its entirety. (28 minutes)
		Late Works Beethoven’s late works must be experienced and the analysis limited to the facts—the music is more compact, the use of contrasts is heightened, changes are more abrupt, the themes simpler. Turning from the symphony to the string quartet is an example of the tightening of the whole and the more meticulous detail to part writing, to the shape of the inner voices. Selections performed include a section of the String Quartet, Opus 130; Symphony No. 9 (Opus 125), Recapitulation; Bagatelle Opus 119; Piano Sonata Opus 111 (complete first movement). (28 minutes)
		Latin Legends: Rhythm and Sound (English) Discover the roots of Latin music and understand how it is made. Listen to the many rhythms that have made salsa one of the most popular genres of music in the world.
		Learning to Read Music Music is much more important to us in our everyday lives than many of us might suspect. Learn about the essentials of reading music and find out how music can enhance your life.
		Learning to Read Music for Keyboard Discover the importance of music in our lives. Learn about the essentials of reading music through state-of-the-art computer animation. Experience what music can do for you.
		Minuet into Scherzo Beethoven’s impatience with the social graces and formality of the society in which his patrons moved is seen in his transformation of the most conventional musical form of the time, the minuet, into the scherzo, in which he retained the rhythm but used the movement in entirely new and revolutionary ways. Selections performed: Piano Sonata in C, Op. 2 No. 3 (lst movement complete), Haydn’s Symphony No. 99 (Trio extract), Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 4 (Trio extract), Eroica Symphony (Scherzo complete).
		Music Is Composed Murry Sidlin and the National Symphony Orchestra demonstrate how music evolves from the first spark of an idea into a completed work. Also includes a good explanation of the 12-tone system.
		Music Is Form Murray Sidlin and the National Symphony Orchestra investigate the organization of musical compositions, and they look at how composers fit separate musical ideas into a whole. Various aspects of theme and variation are addressed.
		Music Is Harmony Murray Sidlin and the National Symphony Orchestra demonstrate the creation of rich musical texture. They explain which combinations of sounds are best in given situations, and they talk about a variety of ways in which harmonies can be played.
		Music Is Style Murray Sidlin and the National Symphony Orchestra show how music reflects the era in which it is created. Travel from the ornate Baroque, through Classical simplicity, and into the Romantic and Modern eras.
		Music Is Tone Color Murray Sidlin and the National Symphony Orchestra explore the tone colors of the human voice. They also look at a modern synthesizer and at many instruments, in order to show how sound quality can vary.
		Music of Africa We are all familiar with the influences of African music on other styles, but the music of Africa is exciting and vital in its own right.
		Music of India The music of India conjures up exotic images of a culture we can barely understand. This live-action program identifies and demonstrates various instruments and presents them in concert.
		Music of Japan The instruments look strange to us, and they are played according to a different scale. Nevertheless, the music of Japan can be very moving. Here is an informative look at another culture.
		Music of Latin America (English) The distinctive music of Latin America is a blend of the wind and percussion instruments of native Indians with Spanish and Portuguese influences added.
		Music of Mexico and South America (English) Performers provide a sampling of traditional music that originates in Mexico and South America. Various native instruments are used to create hauntingly beautiful sounds.
		Music of the Middle East By learning about the instruments and the music of the Middle East, we find that a mixture of cultures has created a family of musical styles that are usually linked to dance, and which are always emotional.
		Music of the Renaissance: Ars Antiqua Players in period costume demonstrate the instruments and sounds of the 13th Century and discuss madrigals, canons, and ancient instruments.
		Orpheus Taming the Furies It is only a few minutes from the angelic, gentle, calm statements of the first movement of the Fourth Concerto to the orchestral explosion in the second movement—an explosion for which a lesser composer might have required a huge brass section but which Beethoven manages with only the strings. The piano subdues the aggressive orchestra, an effect that Franz Liszt compared to Orpheus taming the Furies. The transition from the second to the third movements shows Beethoven at his most glorious, in total control of all the means at his disposal, demanding from the audience a full and total commitment. This is very definitely not background music. Barenboim plays the second and third movements of the Fourth Piano Concerto with Sir Adrian Boult conducting the New Philharmonia Orchestra.
		Our Mexican-American Musical Heritage (English) Spanish conquerors suppressed the music of Mexican natives, but the Indians adopted the European instruments and adapted them to their own styles.
		Plucked Instruments The roots and foreign branches of the guitar-family tree. The program looks at the more important of the many relatives of this instrument.
		Reed Instruments The development of reeds from those played loudly by the Saracens to frighten the Crusaders’ horses, to the seventeenth-century forerunners of today’s orchestral reed instruments.
		Rhythm for All Musicians Understanding patterns of rhythm will enhance your ability to read music. Learn how to interpret rhythmic notation.
		Rock Roots: History of American Pop Music Trace the history of popular music through its various stages and learn what influence it had upon American culture.
		Symphonist Almost all of Beethoven’s music has a symphonic character. A great pianist himself, he overrode the boundaries of the piano to bring out of the instrument a new range of expression. Barenboim demonstrates this range with excerpts from the Pastoral Sonata, Opus 28, and the Hammerklavier. But the musical strength evinced here can lead to a misunderstanding of Beethoven’s happier works. It is a mistake to read Beethoven’s work programmatically, to laud the struggle of the odd symphonies and dismiss the lighter even ones. Barenboim conducts the New Philharmonia Orchestra in the first movement of the Symphony No. 8.
		The Eroica Although the Second Symphony bears the unmistakable stamp of Beethoven’s language, it remains within the bounds of expression laid down by Haydn. But the Eroica, composed within a year of the Second, is another matter. Barenboim explains the workings of the theme, Beethoven’s use of modulation and resolution, harmonic and melodic ambiguity, chromatic and dynamic progression, and range of variety achieved through repetition. Barenboim then conducts the New Philharmonia Orchestra in the complete first movement.
		Theory for All Musicians| This thorough introduction to music theory includes the musical alphabet, diatonic scales, tetrachords, major scales, modes, key signatures, chords and intervals, relative minors, pentatonic scales, and much more.
		Toscanini: The Maestro A portrait of the man who pioneered the concept that the conductor’s function is to express the composer’s intentions, who conducted Verdi’s Requiem at the composer’s funeral and "The Star-Spangled Banner" for a United Nations program.
		Working Process The Second and Third Leonore Overtures offer an invaluable insight into Beethoven’s working methods, the process by which he created, and his attitude toward his music. How did Beethoven unite the themes and chromatic progressions, the colors, contrasts, and rhythms, the melodic lines and sudden outbursts and final resolutions together into an organic, structured whole? In the Second overture, he tried to describe the dramatic events of the opera, discarding the sonata form. But in the Third overture, he returned to the sonata form to create an instrumental music drama in its own right. Some critics, including Wagner, prefer the more lyrical Second. Barenboim explains Beethoven’s intense interest in form and why he thinks the Third shows Beethoven, the master of form, at his greatest.