Peer Review

The Power of Music

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Overview:: This is the final lecture by Daniel Barenboim as part of the Reith Lectures at the BBC. For a reivew of the entire series see the review of "In the Beginning was Sound." http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=294922 In this lecture Barenboim argues that music should be seen as a metaphor for life, capable of demonstrating the great qualities of leadership.
Type of Material:: Lecture/Presentation
Recommended Uses:: The user has a variety of options available for retrieving the lecture: 1. A printable link; 2. An extended audio link with Barenboim speaking and playing music examples at the piano; 3. The narrative text provided on the web site.
Technical Requirements:: Audio
Identify Major Learning Goals:: This is last in a 5 lecture series by Daniel Barenboim and the goal or major topic is the power of music to transform and change the world. The lecture with music examples (Barenboim at the piano) is delivered in Jerusalem. Secondary goals are to bridge cultural gaps and increase and promote cross-cultural understanding and sinsitivity.
Target Student Population:: College General Ed , College Lower Division , College Upper Division , Graduate School
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: None

Rating:
Strengths:: A very powerful content base written and delivered by an international icon of the music world. This final lecture, in a sense, brings to a close and very powerful and much needed address on the topic of music and multicultural understanding. The address is sophisticated yet very approachable by a wide audience with varied musical tastes and knowledge.
Concerns:: The goals as stated above, are often a tall order for the art of music to achieve. Many feel music is best focused on musical goals and objectives, tasks unique to the art of music. When one branches out beyond the realm of the musical art in order to achieve "extra-musical" objectives, the justification may become tenous at best and strained at worst.

Rating:
Strengths:: Thi site provides a valuable tool for retrieving a powerful lecture series delivered by a major international conductor. The content is accessible to a broad audience base.
Concerns:: The Reith Lectures, of which this is the 5th and concluding lecture, are stand-alone products, the user will understand more fully this final offering by visiting links to the previous 4 lectures in the series.

Rating:
Strengths:: A simple and well organized home page with clear links to audio and glossary content files. The user has several options available to retrieve and or save the lecture content. Music audio files load quickly.
Concerns:: Some of the links to external sites are of lesser quality, but still of some value to the user.

Other Issues and Comments:: This is a powerful and much needed addition to online music source content. Additional lectures, when offered, should be made available to the online community.
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