Pick of the week: Oasis or Manic Street Preachers? Mozart or Beethoven? Although personal preferences are infinitely varied, one thing we all share is a common ability to make or enjoy music. We may not be virtuousi, but we are not as bad as some of us think we are.
One reason for this is that we have been aware of sounds, rhythms and melodies since our hearing developed in the uterus at about the age of 23 weeks. And, in spite of the racket you may make while carol singing, rest assured, no one is actually tone deaf (it says in this press release), although there may be some who would dispute that. But what can music do beyond giving us something to sing along or tap our toes to?
In an inspiring two-part series, BBC Young Musicians: Good Vibrations explores the latent power of music and its potential to change people’s lives.
Take the Drake Music Project, for example. This gives severely disabled young people the chance to compose and perform. Two teenagers, one with cerebral palsy, the other epileptic, tell of how computers and special software have liberated them to such anextent that they can perform in public. We are lucky to see them do just that, at no less a venue than the Edinburgh Festival, playing alongside Jools Holland.
Next week’s programme looks at music projects to help parents encourage their children to make music.
It’s a shame that this programme is on so late - don’t forget to set the video.
BBC Young Musicians: Good Vibrations, BBC2, Wednesday, 11.15-11.55pm
School spotlight: This is the last television listings page before Easter. Schools broadcasts finish on March 26 and begin again on April 19. Channel 4‘s animated life of Jesus in Stop, Look, Listen draws to a close with a topical look at the first Easter.
This is not a new series, but the latest tranche of 4 to 6-year-olds who will be watching it for the first time are not likely to worry that it’s a repeat.
The animation is engaging and colourful and there is a teacher’s guide and activity books to back up the programmes from Channel 4 Schools, 01926 436444.
Stop, Look, Listen: Animated Bible Stories, Channel 4, Mondays, 10.50-11.00am.
Best of the rest: We start and end on a musical note. While we may all have latent musical ability, the chances are that it is a long way short of the Labeque sisters’ league. Katia and Marielle have become famous for their effervescent piano duets which have popularised the two-piano repertoire. Joan Bakewell talks to them about their musical education and their path to the world’s grand concert halls.
Artist of the Week: Labeque Sisters Radio 3, Monday, 10.30-11.00am
JANETTE WOLF
