Discovering the Soundscape

When experiencing a concert, notice the musicians’ entranced ecstasy as they play. Notice how they cradle and caress the body of their instrument as if it were their lover, the rubenesque curves of violins, cellos and guitars, the exaggerated Modigliani elongation of the woodwind family.

The passion of the playing reaches out and pulls at the emotions of the audience. The audience longs to be a part of that passion, as they are immersed in the aural landscape; one with the performer and performance,

almost as if they were the one in the instrument’s embrace.

Such sensuality is at the heart of music and it is instrumental in the design and creation of the Sirens whose voices hold us in thrall.

“It’s Instrumental” is an entertaining odyssey of visits with master musicians, collectors, curators, historians, performers, instrument makers, conservators, restorers, dealers, and teachers as they share their passion by helping to bring to life the debates and questions of the individual history of each episode’s selected instrument. “It’s Instrumental” showcases performances on the ancient and modern variations of the instrument exemplify the exchanges of ideas, changes in design and sound of each evolution. Journeys to the sites of discovery and locations of innovation of the instrument in question highlight the developments that have lead to these beautiful objects.

“It’s Instrumental” begins the journey in a one hour pilot examining the origin, design and evolution of the guitar. The following eight one hour episodes per season of “It’s Instrumental” delve into the origins and uses of other individual musical instruments, including the violin, saxophone, piano and trumpet. Each of these or their cousins have given voice to classical, jazz, rock and just about every other genre of music on the planet, with each culture’s ideals of visual beauty being expressed through the instruments as well.

Join the fun. “It’s Instrumental”.