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Ba Ba Ba Bum: The Art of the Riff

Richard Coles investigates the power of the repeated musical phrase, focusing on the most famous musical riff ever - in Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

Beethoven's Fifth Symphony boasts the most famous riff in the classical canon. Curate, keyboardist and Radio 3 reviewer Richard Coles investigates the power of the repeated phrase, talking to classical and film composer Jocelyn Pook about how she conjures, finds and uses them, and to musician Tom Robinson, who has written a few, about the importance - and the burden - of the riff to him. Richard also ponders whether there is much difference in musical intent and practice between the opening of Beethoven's Fifth and the opening of Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple.

20 minutes

Last on

Mon 28 Jul 2008 20:10

Broadcast

  • Mon 28 Jul 2008 20:10