Four part music history series originally broadcast by Channel 4 in the UK, Autumn 2002.

Composer Howard Goodall links great pieces of music to the era in which they were written in a bid to prove that time, place, culture and politics had more of a part to play in the end product than the genius of the producer.

He begins with a historical look at 1874, the year which saw the completion of Wagner's influential Ring cycle.

As always, should these become commercially available i will remove them immediatly. If you enjoy this series please purchase the DVD to support the production of any future work.

Why does melody affect us so deeply, from the moment we are born? Tunes touch our deepest emotions, and are capable of inspiring love, sorrow, faith, and hope. But how does a melody actually work?

In this film composer Howard Goodall looks at melody's basic elements. Why are some melodic shapes common to all cultures across the world? Can successful melodies be written at random? If not, what are the familiar melodic patterns composers of all types of music have fallen back on again and again, and why do they work?

Setting out on a journey that moves through the centuries, Howard looks at the curious link between Tudor England and the Mississippi Delta, and uncovers melodic shapes common to all cultures across the world. Following a trail of diverse musical sources from Gustav Mahler to Paul Simon, Shaker hymns to Bulgarian folk songs, medieval choral music to the Broadway showstoppers he reveals the tried and tested tricks of the composer's trade.

Excellent UK documentary charting the career of contempory composer Steve Reich.

ARTS: The South Bank Show
On: ITV1
Date: Sunday 10th December 2006
Time: 23:10 to 00:10
Duration: 48:17 (Ads Removed)

Steve Reich.

The Minimalist composer Steve Reich, who became a major player in the 1960s, celebrates his 70th birthday this year.

Here the man and his music are profiled, with special attention paid to the Daniel Variations, his most recent piece about the murdered American journalist Daniel Pearl and Music for 18 Musicians.

Brian Eno, Michael Nyman and Alex Paterson from The Orb testify to his far-reaching influence.