The Beatles: a musical appreciation and analysis by composer, Howard Goodall CBE

(c) 2004 Channel Four: The Beatles - 20th Century Greats

UPDATE: here's John Lennon on George Martin's influence in a 1975 BBC interview with "whispering" Bob Harris:    • John Lennon on George Martin - (c) BBC 1975  

Music has been a central part of my entire life, yet to this day I've never understood how it all works in terms of its emotional "mechanics".

In Desert Island Discs mode, for me there are three towering influences: The Beatles, Bach, and Handel - they are the big three, without question. And for for those of us who hold the music of The Beatles in the highest esteem, here classical composer Howard Goodall gives us an informed and absorbing account of their musical innovation, their influence, and their lasting legacy.

It's a real privilege to be educated by someone who can express the language of music so eloquently, as classical composer and wider musician. Not everyone is going to agree with him here, but he's persuasive.

I'm looking forward to comments about Howard Goodall's personal survey here, and to kick them off, the thing that struck me most was the idea of "instinctive" compositional talent, and the influence of classically-trained Sir George Martin. I have no idea why Goodall completely ignored George Martin's contribution to the Beatles' musical output. It's a pretty staggering omission. Maybe it would have polluted the populist idea of Everyman, as composer?

Currently this has not been released on DVD or any other purchasable format. I am therefore uploading to my Channel to share musical education with others.

It is available elsewhere on YouTube, but I wanted to draw my Subs' attention to it.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.