The title ‘Sounds Familiar’ is meant to disguise the fact that the music is, largely, classical. Not that there is anything to be ashamed of in the classical repertoire: Classic FM manages to attract quite enough listeners to make it one of the most successful commercial stations.
It is just that the whole name ‘classical music’ can so easily convey an elitist image, a sort of Third Programme cultural worthiness, maybe even a sort of holier than thou-ness.
But it should not be so, for this is the music that has inspired a great deal of jazz, rock, soul and funk. It’s the sort of music that has featured in countless films, hundreds of advertisements and is so much a part of our lives that we all too frequently recognise it, but have no idea from where.
It is the sort of music that brought us ‘Nessun dorma’, the themes to Hamlet and Hovis ads and that has given life to one of Britain’s most wonderfully eccentric traditions: the last night of the ‘proms.
And it is the sort of wonderfully varied music of ‘Sounds Familiar’, sometimes gentle and reflective, sometimes proud, loud and martial. It can be solemn and joyful, relaxing and stirring: indeed, it reflects and depicts our every emotion, for it is through music that we can each understand the other; all share in that universal language that surpasses all others.
So do join me, Yvonne Williams, in my selection of music that I hope will bring you pleasure, that will bring back fond memories and just perhaps, might bring you some new treats to treasure.
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