UPCOMING & RECENT BROADCAST WORK
September 20, 2020 on BBC Radio 4
plus On Demand Listening
WHERE IT WAS
A reflection on how the past is written not just into our memories, but also into our identities and the landscapes we inhabit.
With readings from writers including Howard Nemerov, Bishop Tutu, Billy Collins and Julian Barnes and music from Ella Fitzgerald, JS Bach and Diana Krall.
Originally created for the FallingTree series SOMETHING UNDERSTOOD, produced by Alan Hall
plus On Demand Listening
WHERE IT WAS
A reflection on how the past is written not just into our memories, but also into our identities and the landscapes we inhabit.
With readings from writers including Howard Nemerov, Bishop Tutu, Billy Collins and Julian Barnes and music from Ella Fitzgerald, JS Bach and Diana Krall.
Originally created for the FallingTree series SOMETHING UNDERSTOOD, produced by Alan Hall
Wednesdays July 3 - August 7, 2019
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS:
THE NERVE - Music & the Human Experience
Music is found in every culture worldwide. It's our constant companion, from birth through childhood, love, marriage and death. It has a starring role on every stage of the great human drama - whether we are at war or at prayer, by ourselves or with others, happy or sad - music is there. But does it really have a purpose? Where does it come from? And why does it have such power over our hearts and minds?
(Rebroadcast of the award-winning 2007 series.)
Created by by Chris Brookes, Paolo Pietropaolo & Jowi Taylor
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS:
THE NERVE - Music & the Human Experience
Music is found in every culture worldwide. It's our constant companion, from birth through childhood, love, marriage and death. It has a starring role on every stage of the great human drama - whether we are at war or at prayer, by ourselves or with others, happy or sad - music is there. But does it really have a purpose? Where does it come from? And why does it have such power over our hearts and minds?
(Rebroadcast of the award-winning 2007 series.)
Created by by Chris Brookes, Paolo Pietropaolo & Jowi Taylor
March 18, 2019
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS:
TURN IT OFF: MUSIC TO DRIVE YOU CRAZY
An instrument invented two centuries ago was said to drive those who heard it mad, even to to the point of suicide. The glass harp, or glass armonica was actually banned as a danger to public health.. But was it the acoustic properties or the cultural environment that made it so toxic? The astonishing history of that instrument, from the parlour to the paranormal in 18th-century Europe, and to 21st-century parallels, investigating how sound can shape our behaviour.
Produced for CBC Radio IDEAS by Chris Brookes
First broadcast by CBC Radio March 18, 2019.
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS:
TURN IT OFF: MUSIC TO DRIVE YOU CRAZY
An instrument invented two centuries ago was said to drive those who heard it mad, even to to the point of suicide. The glass harp, or glass armonica was actually banned as a danger to public health.. But was it the acoustic properties or the cultural environment that made it so toxic? The astonishing history of that instrument, from the parlour to the paranormal in 18th-century Europe, and to 21st-century parallels, investigating how sound can shape our behaviour.
Produced for CBC Radio IDEAS by Chris Brookes
First broadcast by CBC Radio March 18, 2019.
July 6, 13, 20, 27, August 3, 10, 17, 24th 2017
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS:
THE WIRE - WHAT ELECTRICITY DID TO MUSIC.
"an ear-opening experience" (Peabody Awards)
Somewhere between a documentary, a remix and a music show, this 8-hour series explores the impact of electricity on music, from Edison to Caruso to Les Paul to Bjork. Interviews with Robert Moog, Les Paul, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Steve Reich, Kid Koala, Akufen, DJ Spooky and others. This Peabody & Prix Italia-award-winning classic originally aired 12 years ago, now back for an ear-bending repeat!
Coproduced for CBC Radio by Chris Brookes, Paolo Pietropaolo and Jowi Taylor.
First broadcast by CBC Radio 2005. See Series details
AWARDS: Prix Italia 2005, Peabody award 2006, 3rd Coast International Audio Festival 2006
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS:
THE WIRE - WHAT ELECTRICITY DID TO MUSIC.
"an ear-opening experience" (Peabody Awards)
Somewhere between a documentary, a remix and a music show, this 8-hour series explores the impact of electricity on music, from Edison to Caruso to Les Paul to Bjork. Interviews with Robert Moog, Les Paul, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Steve Reich, Kid Koala, Akufen, DJ Spooky and others. This Peabody & Prix Italia-award-winning classic originally aired 12 years ago, now back for an ear-bending repeat!
Coproduced for CBC Radio by Chris Brookes, Paolo Pietropaolo and Jowi Taylor.
First broadcast by CBC Radio 2005. See Series details
AWARDS: Prix Italia 2005, Peabody award 2006, 3rd Coast International Audio Festival 2006
June 16 & 23rd, 2017
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS:
VESTIGIAL TALE - YOUR BRAIN ON STORIES
The evolutionary origins of human storytelling
Analysing stories is territory traditionally claimed by writers, critics, and university scholars. But recently, evolutionary psychologists have begun to look at the human propensity for storytelling from a scientific perspective. Why are we humans such suckers for a good story? Literary critics find the answer in story structure, characters, and plotlines. The literary Darwinists find the answer in evolution.
Produced by Chris Brookes
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS:
VESTIGIAL TALE - YOUR BRAIN ON STORIES
The evolutionary origins of human storytelling
Analysing stories is territory traditionally claimed by writers, critics, and university scholars. But recently, evolutionary psychologists have begun to look at the human propensity for storytelling from a scientific perspective. Why are we humans such suckers for a good story? Literary critics find the answer in story structure, characters, and plotlines. The literary Darwinists find the answer in evolution.
Produced by Chris Brookes
March 20th, 2017
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS in the AFTERNOON :
THE LIVES OF WOMEN, READERS AND ALICE MUNRO
In 2013 the renowned author Alice Munro became the first Canadian woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.
On a cold autumn evening in St. John's, a group of women gather for their regular book club. Over snacks, wine and tea, they discuss Alice Munro's work, and reflect upon how her stories illuminate elements of their own lives.
Produced by Chris Brookes & Jean-Claude Kuner
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS in the AFTERNOON :
THE LIVES OF WOMEN, READERS AND ALICE MUNRO
In 2013 the renowned author Alice Munro became the first Canadian woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.
On a cold autumn evening in St. John's, a group of women gather for their regular book club. Over snacks, wine and tea, they discuss Alice Munro's work, and reflect upon how her stories illuminate elements of their own lives.
Produced by Chris Brookes & Jean-Claude Kuner
March 8th, 2017
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS:
THE LIVES OF WOMEN, READERS AND ALICE MUNRO
In 2013 the renowned author Alice Munro became the first Canadian woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.
On a cold autumn evening in St. John's, a group of women gather for their regular book club. Over snacks, wine and tea, they discuss Alice Munro's work, and reflect upon how her stories illuminate elements of their own lives.
Produced by Chris Brookes & Jean-Claude Kuner
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS:
THE LIVES OF WOMEN, READERS AND ALICE MUNRO
In 2013 the renowned author Alice Munro became the first Canadian woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.
On a cold autumn evening in St. John's, a group of women gather for their regular book club. Over snacks, wine and tea, they discuss Alice Munro's work, and reflect upon how her stories illuminate elements of their own lives.
Produced by Chris Brookes & Jean-Claude Kuner
August 11 & 18th, 2016
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS:
VESTIGIAL TALE - YOUR BRAIN ON STORIES
The evolutionary origins of human storytelling
Analysing stories is territory traditionally claimed by writers, critics, and university scholars. But recently, evolutionary psychologists have begun to look at the human propensity for storytelling from a scientific perspective. Why are we humans such suckers for a good story? Literary critics find the answer in story structure, characters, and plotlines. The literary Darwinists find the answer in evolution.
Produced by Chris Brookes
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS:
VESTIGIAL TALE - YOUR BRAIN ON STORIES
The evolutionary origins of human storytelling
Analysing stories is territory traditionally claimed by writers, critics, and university scholars. But recently, evolutionary psychologists have begun to look at the human propensity for storytelling from a scientific perspective. Why are we humans such suckers for a good story? Literary critics find the answer in story structure, characters, and plotlines. The literary Darwinists find the answer in evolution.
Produced by Chris Brookes
January 10, 2016 on JazzFM91
Jazz Portrait: PAUL BLEY
One of the founding fathers of free jazz, Montreal-born Paul Bley, died this week at the age of 83. In 2008, we recorded pianist Renee Rosnes in conversation with one of jazz piano's true innovators.
"Deeply original and aesthetically agressive, Mr. Bley long ago found a way to express his long, elegant, voluminous thoughts in a manner that implies complete autonomy from its given setting but isn't quite free jazz. The music runs on a mixture of deep historical knowledge and its own inviolable principles."
Ben Ratliff, New York Times
The Jazz Portrait Series
Produced by Chris Brookes & Bill Brennan
Jazz Portrait: PAUL BLEY
One of the founding fathers of free jazz, Montreal-born Paul Bley, died this week at the age of 83. In 2008, we recorded pianist Renee Rosnes in conversation with one of jazz piano's true innovators.
"Deeply original and aesthetically agressive, Mr. Bley long ago found a way to express his long, elegant, voluminous thoughts in a manner that implies complete autonomy from its given setting but isn't quite free jazz. The music runs on a mixture of deep historical knowledge and its own inviolable principles."
Ben Ratliff, New York Times
The Jazz Portrait Series
Produced by Chris Brookes & Bill Brennan
January 8, 2016 on CBC Inside the Music
Jazz Portrait: PAUL BLEY
The Montreal-born, internationally renowned pianist who died five days ago at the age of 83 had a career that spanned over 60 years. He was one of jazz music's most innovative artists and he played a key role in the free jazz revolution of New York in the 60s. Bley was also an early adopter of the Moog synthesizer in jazz.
Over his career, Bley played and recorded with Ornette Coleman, Lester Young, Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Charlie Haden, Lee Konitz, Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Bill Frisell and many others.
The Jazz Portrait Series
Produced by Chris Brookes & Bill Brennan
Jazz Portrait: PAUL BLEY
The Montreal-born, internationally renowned pianist who died five days ago at the age of 83 had a career that spanned over 60 years. He was one of jazz music's most innovative artists and he played a key role in the free jazz revolution of New York in the 60s. Bley was also an early adopter of the Moog synthesizer in jazz.
Over his career, Bley played and recorded with Ornette Coleman, Lester Young, Sonny Rollins, Chet Baker, Charlie Haden, Lee Konitz, Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Bill Frisell and many others.
The Jazz Portrait Series
Produced by Chris Brookes & Bill Brennan
October 6 & 7th, 2015
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS:
October 9 & 13th on CBC IDEAS IN THE AFTERNOON
VESTIGIAL TALE - YOUR BRAIN ON STORIES
The evolutionary origins of human storytelling
Analysing stories is territory traditionally claimed by writers, critics, and university scholars. But recently, evolutionary psychologists have begun to look at the human propensity for storytelling from a scientific perspective. Why are we humans such suckers for a good story? Literary critics find the answer in story structure, characters, and plotlines. The literary Darwinists find the answer in evolution.
Produced by Chris Brookes
Across Canada on CBC Radio IDEAS:
October 9 & 13th on CBC IDEAS IN THE AFTERNOON
VESTIGIAL TALE - YOUR BRAIN ON STORIES
The evolutionary origins of human storytelling
Analysing stories is territory traditionally claimed by writers, critics, and university scholars. But recently, evolutionary psychologists have begun to look at the human propensity for storytelling from a scientific perspective. Why are we humans such suckers for a good story? Literary critics find the answer in story structure, characters, and plotlines. The literary Darwinists find the answer in evolution.
Produced by Chris Brookes
