LibGuides: Music: Film

Streaming videos: Series

Early Musical Instruments Series. 6 episodes. The ancestors to modern instruments are described and demonstrated by the Early Music Consort of London. Narrated by David Munrow. 6-part series, 30 minutes each. Brass, Keyboard and Percussion, Bowed, Plucked, Flutes and Whistles, and Reed Instruments.
The History of Musical Instruments. 13 episodes. This outstanding 13-part series discusses modern musical instruments in elaborate detail. Each program focuses on a different instrument—its origin, history, how it is made, how it works. Viewers visit factories and watch as expert craftsmen construct each instrument. Performances on both the original version of the instrument and its modern counterpart illustrate its use by composers over time. 13-part series, 28 minutes each.
Jazz: A Film by Ken Burns. PBS, 2000. Films on Demand. 10 episodes
Making Moonshine: Country Music—All You Need Is Love: A History of Popular Music This film features the establishment of country music and its bluegrass and folk roots. The following artists are featured: Jimmie Rodgers; Minnie Pearl; Ernest Tubb; Roy Acuff; Roy Rogers; Tex Ritter; Bill Anderson; Doug Kershaw; William Ivey.
Music in Time. 16 episodes. From pre-Gregorian to postmodern, this series covers the major periods, styles, forms, composers, and works in the entire span of Western music with superb performances and authoritative narration. Ever unhurried, viewers are permitted to relish entire compositions and generous excerpts from representative period music performed by world-acclaimed artists, orchestras, conductors, operas, and ballet companies around the world. James Galway is the series host. 16-part series, 58–61 minutes each.
Music of the World. VEA, 2015. Films on Demand. 3 episodes.
Opera Easy. HG Distribution, 2006. Films on Demand. 25 episodes.
The Score: Classical Music Appreciation Through Listening. Scottish Television, 1996. Films on Demand. 5 episodes.

Streaming videos: Individual composers, themes, and topics

Downloaded What is Napster?, Napster as Strange Idea, Early Internet, Shawn Fanning, Downloading Music, Dropping College, Work on Napster, Napster's Technical Achievement, Social Importance of Music, Napster's Achievement, History of Music Industry, Digital Music, Spread of Napster, Napster Atmosphere, Scaling Servers, Legal Position, Negotiations with Music Industry, Colleges Ban Napster, Musicians' Views of Napster, Boosting Independent Bands, Adulation, Legal Battle, Perspectives on Napster, Metallica and Napster, Accusation of Hypocrisy, Judiciary Committee Hearing, Gene Kan, Senate Committee's Outlook, Power Struggle, Legal Setback, Sean Parker's Memo, Stay of Injunction, Appeals Court Hearing, Bertelsmann, Debating Sincerity, Court Defeat, Napster Loses Heart, Inadequate Filters, Bankruptcy, Piracy Fight Backfires, Music Industry Declines, iTunes, Snocap Failure, Fanning and Parker, Culture, Technology and Change, Cofounders Reflect on Napster, Epilogue: Downloaded.
History of Electronic Music Artists and fans talk about how this DJ driven genre started in the "Disco Fever" era.
Last Shop Standing: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of the Independent Record Shop - Music Retailer Reflections, Rise of the Independent Record Shop, Punk Rock Movement, Decline of the Independent Record Shop, Illegal Downloading Revolution, Closing Doors, Rebirth, Record Store Day, Vinyl Revival, Future of Independent Record Stores, Resource for Music Aficionados.
Music. Film Option, 1993. Films on Demand. 23 minutes.