Origins: music and evolution

Subject: Origins: music and evolution
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 09:01 AM

interesting radio programme on BBC radio 3, 6 days left to listen to online archives
www.bbc.co.uk/radio3

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/programmes/schedules/2008/09/07

19:25 -20:25 Sunday Feature
In the Beginning Was the Song

Ivan Hewett explores the origins and evolution of music.The urge to make music is rooted deep in human nature, but why that urge arose in the first place is a hotly debated question that divides the scientific community. Ivan Hewett goes in search of the answer, drawing on a fascinating body of evidence that ranges from Palaeolithic cave settlements and observations of apes making music, to laboratory studies of infants' musical abilities, and a new brain-scanning experiment to map the neural basis of the music faculty. (repeat of broadcast 9 Dec 07)

another broadcast yesterday, also archived for the rest of the week is: 6 days left to listen
Sunday 12:00 -13:00 Private Passions
Folk singer Judy Collins chooses music by Rachmaninov, Sondheim and Joni Mitchell.

Subject: RE: Origins: music and evolution
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 09:19 AM

Thanks for pointing that one out. In fact though, the link posted opens up World Routes (itself especially worth listening to this week, as it features the Indian classical singer, Kaushiki Chakrabarty).

To find Sunday feature go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tnwp and click on In The Beginning Was Song

Subject: RE: Origins: music and evolution
From: Paul Burke
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 09:53 AM

"The Singing Neanderthals" by Steven Mithen contains some very interesting speculations about the origins of language, and it's very worth reading even if (like me) you don't agree with all his conclusions.

Much later than the origins of languag, but still demonstrating its mystical power: A few tears ago, an archaeology TV program (forgotten which one) showed a demonstration of resonances in a neolithic tomb. When his sound generator hit the right frequency, the dust at the maximum- velocity points of the resonant wave rose from the floor in vaguely human shapes.... truly spooky, and a shaman could have used this phenomenon to show his power of "raising the spirits" by low chanting.

Subject: RE: Origins: music and evolution
From: GUEST,JeffB
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 04:41 PM

Phillipa, Fred, thanks very much for flagging that up - I really enjoyed it. And the sound of a 35 000 yr old bone flute as a bonus.

And Paul, I will look out for singing Neanderthals. Perhaps they will turn up in my local 2nd hand bookshop one day.