The Musical Human by Michael Spitzer

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The Musical Human by Michael Spitzer: Episode 1

Episode 1

BBC Radio 4 - The Musical Human by Michael Spitzer, Episode 1

In the beginning was sound. A history of what makes us musical.

Evidence of humankind's early musical life abounds in relics of ancient instruments found around the world.

Professor Michael Spitzer brings together archaeological, sociological and historical observations, along with theories from biologists and musicologists, to tell the story of what his sub-title boldly claims to be A History of Life on Earth.

Michael Spitzer did his undergraduate studies at Southampton and then Merton, Oxford. He is Professor of Music at the University of Liverpool. Previously he taught for 20 years at Durham University. An accomplished pianist, Spitzer is a world-leading authority on Beethoven, but he also writes widely on the philosophy and psychology of music.  He lives just off Penny Lane.

Written by Michael Spitzer
Read by Simon McBurney
Abridged and Produced by Jill Waters 
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4

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Michael Spitzer tells what his book's subtitle claims to be 'A History of Life on Earth'.

Book of the Week. Professor Michael Spitzer brings together a wealth of historical evidence and current theories to tell what he claims is 'A History of Life on Earth'.

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