Counterpoint (radio)
Encyclopedia
Counterpoint is a BBC Radio 4
quiz. Questions are about music, from classical
, jazz
, pop
, musicals, and all other forms of music. It was originally hosted by Ned Sherrin
(1986–2006). In the chair for the 2007 series was Edward Seckerson
with Paul Gambaccini
taking over for 2008 onwards.
The quiz is played by three contestants over three rounds, or "movements" as they are known in the show. In the first, each contestant is asked five questions, two of which are illustrated by short musical pieces. Two points are awarded for a correct answer, or one point for a partially correct response. If the given answer is incorrect, or partially incorrect, the other two contestants may buzz in for one point. If there is a tie at the end of the first round, a further buzzer question is asked to determine the contestants' order for the next round.
The middle round is a solo round, similar to the 'specialist subject' format of Mastermind
, with the difference that the contestants have neither chosen nor been given warning of the subject. Five categories of questions are offered, some of which are very specific eg "Beethoven's Piano Sonatas", while others are more general, for instance "sunshine and rain". The contestant with the most points after round one chooses from the five categories, the runner-up chooses from the four remaining, and the contestant in last place chooses from the three that are left. Each round consists of eight questions, including three musical cues. Again two points are given for a correct answer, but, in this round, questions answered incorrectly are not offered to the other contestants.
The final round consists of a variable number of questions, usually no more than twenty. Any contestant can answer these questions, provided they buzz in first. A correct answer will add one point to a contestant's score. If an incorrect answer is given, a contestant is deducted one point.
The contestant with the highest score at the end of each regular show wins the right to appear again, later in the series, to comepete against other winners from the current series. The series is completed in 13 weeks, the last show being the final, at the end of which the series' winner is decided.
The show has been broadcast in BBC Radio 4
's Monday afternoon quiz slot since 1998. Three main question-setters have been used by the programme: Ian Gillies, often referred to as Mycroft
by Robert Robinson in Brain of Britain
(1986–2000); David Kenrick, the 1986 champion (1987– ); and Stephen Follows, a former Mastermind
and University Challenge
champion, who also holds the programme's individual scoring records (2001– ). Counterpoint has been produced since 2001 by Paul Bajoria.
The current Counterpoint theme is Bach's "Partita in E major
", arranged & performed by Jacques Loussier
. The original theme tune for the programme, when it began in 1986, was the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by Georg Friedrich Handel. For one series it was opened by a specially commissioned piece entitled "Counterpoint", by musician Ray Davies
. The 2011 series began on
April 4, 2011, when contestants answered questions on subjects of the string quartet, myth and legend in classical music and Gilbert and Sullivan.
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
quiz. Questions are about music, from classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, musicals, and all other forms of music. It was originally hosted by Ned Sherrin
Ned Sherrin
Edward George "Ned" Sherrin CBE was an English broadcaster, author and stage director. He qualified as a barrister and then worked in independent television before joining the BBC...
(1986–2006). In the chair for the 2007 series was Edward Seckerson
Edward Seckerson
Edward Seckerson is a British music journalist and radio presenter specialising. He is currently the Chief Opera critic for The Independent. He wrote and presented the long-running BBC Radio 3 series Stage & Screen in which he interviewed many of the most prominent writers and stars of musical...
with Paul Gambaccini
Paul Gambaccini
Paul Matthew Gambaccini is a radio and television presenter in the United Kingdom...
taking over for 2008 onwards.
The quiz is played by three contestants over three rounds, or "movements" as they are known in the show. In the first, each contestant is asked five questions, two of which are illustrated by short musical pieces. Two points are awarded for a correct answer, or one point for a partially correct response. If the given answer is incorrect, or partially incorrect, the other two contestants may buzz in for one point. If there is a tie at the end of the first round, a further buzzer question is asked to determine the contestants' order for the next round.
The middle round is a solo round, similar to the 'specialist subject' format of Mastermind
Mastermind (TV series)
Mastermind is a British quiz show, well known for its challenging questions, intimidating setting and air of seriousness.Devised by Bill Wright, the basic format of Mastermind has never changed — four and in later contests five contestants face two rounds, one on a specialised subject of the...
, with the difference that the contestants have neither chosen nor been given warning of the subject. Five categories of questions are offered, some of which are very specific eg "Beethoven's Piano Sonatas", while others are more general, for instance "sunshine and rain". The contestant with the most points after round one chooses from the five categories, the runner-up chooses from the four remaining, and the contestant in last place chooses from the three that are left. Each round consists of eight questions, including three musical cues. Again two points are given for a correct answer, but, in this round, questions answered incorrectly are not offered to the other contestants.
The final round consists of a variable number of questions, usually no more than twenty. Any contestant can answer these questions, provided they buzz in first. A correct answer will add one point to a contestant's score. If an incorrect answer is given, a contestant is deducted one point.
The contestant with the highest score at the end of each regular show wins the right to appear again, later in the series, to comepete against other winners from the current series. The series is completed in 13 weeks, the last show being the final, at the end of which the series' winner is decided.
The show has been broadcast in BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
's Monday afternoon quiz slot since 1998. Three main question-setters have been used by the programme: Ian Gillies, often referred to as Mycroft
Mycroft
Mycroft may refer to:Family name:* Frank Mycroft , an English cricket er who played for Derbyshire between 1893 and 1895* Thomas Mycroft , an English cricketer* William Mycroft , an English cricketer...
by Robert Robinson in Brain of Britain
Brain of Britain
Brain of Britain is a BBC radio general knowledge quiz, broadcast on BBC Radio 4.-History:It began as a slot in What Do You Know? in 1953 before becoming a programme in its own right in 1967. It was chaired by Franklin Engelmann until his death in 1972.-Format:The format of the quiz is simple...
(1986–2000); David Kenrick, the 1986 champion (1987– ); and Stephen Follows, a former Mastermind
Mastermind (TV series)
Mastermind is a British quiz show, well known for its challenging questions, intimidating setting and air of seriousness.Devised by Bill Wright, the basic format of Mastermind has never changed — four and in later contests five contestants face two rounds, one on a specialised subject of the...
and University Challenge
University Challenge
University Challenge is a British quiz programme that has aired since 1962. The format is based on the American show College Bowl, which ran on NBC radio from 1953 to 1957, and on NBC television from 1959 to 1970....
champion, who also holds the programme's individual scoring records (2001– ). Counterpoint has been produced since 2001 by Paul Bajoria.
The current Counterpoint theme is Bach's "Partita in E major
Partita for Violin No. 3 (Bach)
The Partita No. 3 in E major BWV 1006 by Johann Sebastian Bach for solo violin consists of the following movements:# Preludio# Loure# Gavotte en Rondeau# Menuets # Bourrée# GigaIt takes approximately 20 minutes to perform....
", arranged & performed by Jacques Loussier
Jacques Loussier
Jacques Loussier is a French pianist and composer. He is well-known for his jazz interpretations in trio formation of many of Johann Sebastian Bach's works, such as the Goldberg Variations.-Early life and education :...
. The original theme tune for the programme, when it began in 1986, was the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by Georg Friedrich Handel. For one series it was opened by a specially commissioned piece entitled "Counterpoint", by musician Ray Davies
Ray Davies
Ray Davies, CBE is an English rock musician. He is best known as lead singer and songwriter for the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother, Dave...
. The 2011 series began on
April 4, 2011, when contestants answered questions on subjects of the string quartet, myth and legend in classical music and Gilbert and Sullivan.