Howard Goodall's Story of Music

‘In making this series for the BBC, and writing the accompanying book, I have tried to start again from scratch, as if I were asked to explaining our world of music to a visiting Martian.  My aim is to make music’s incredible story accessible to all music lovers, to dispense with its often unhelpful, archaic jargon and show just how inventive and colourful musicians have been since our prehistoric ancestors started playing flutes made of bone, some of which, amazingly survive to this day.’  Howard Goodall

Shown as six one-hour programmes on BBC2, Howard Goodall’s Story of Music, was produced by Tiger Aspect and presents Howard’s personal view of the musical timeline from the stone age to the digital age, including the influence of classical music on the growth of popular music as well as the evolution of blues, jazz and world music.

The series was broadcast in January 2013.  A first glimpse of the show can be seen here.  For the BBC pages on the series click here.

As well as the six-part series, there will be a number of additional connected programmes etc.  For schools, The BBC Learning for Teachers and Schools in 2013 will make the programmes available along with learning resources including free downloadable clips.  On the radio, Howard will appear on both Essential Classics and In Tune on BBC Radio 3 for the Story of Music in 50 pieces and Sue Perkins and Tom Service will present Story of Music Question Time live from the Radio Theatre during the interval of six Live in Concert programmes from the 28th January.  There are also free collectible downloads from the BBC Radio 3 website here.

A book to accompany the series, published on 10th January, is also available.

In addition to the TV and Radio programmes there will be a number of live events linked to the new BBC2 series (and associated Radio 3 programmes, on-line resources and book) Howard Goodall’s Story of Music.  See the events pages of this website for more details.

Read an article by Howard on 20th Century Modernism in the articles section of this site – here.