Howard Goodall's Big Bangs

Prolific British composer Howard Goodall hosts this documentary exploring the development of European music by examining five major turning points in its history. As chants gave way to "Notation," "Equal Temperament" made tuning, scales, and a key system universal, "Opera" brought music to drama, "The Piano" altered European culture, and "Recorded Sound" offered listeners experiences from Caruso to sampling, the character and scope of Western music evolved in fascinating and unexpected ways. 4 1/4 hrs. total on two discs. Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.