The History of Music

• David Pollock
• 21 August 2015

This article is from 2015

Fun and virtuosic journey through our relationship with music

We start with a group of stamping cavemen, beating out a Stomp-like rhythm on the floor of the stage, our entry point into a necessarily brief but fun and virtuosic journey through civilisation's relationship with music. Narrated by an MC called Vincent, whose shtick is annoyingly egomaniacal, this show by Canada's Buzz Brass ensemble is an all-ages treat which keeps the fun and silliness coming, as well as offering a bit of musical education along the way.

From the cavemen we move onto the Roman era, glossing over the medieval period (because nobody listened to music then) and into the full and fertile years of the Renaissance. Rich and lively vignettes about opera are dished out, the mobile band producing vibrant, horn-led interpretations of the music as they act out elements of the drama.

Before a grand finale which brings us into the 20th century with a dazzling medley featuring 'The Rite of Spring', 'Johnny B Goode' and the themes from Singing in the Rain, James Bond and, more recently, Frozen. The jokey narration fills the gap between songs with necessary context more than masterful humour, but the music is skilful and so engagingly played as to be worth recommending to all ages.

New Town Theatre, 220 0143, until 30 Aug, 1pm, £12--£14 (£10--£12).