Counterpoint

Revision as of 14:20, 12 April 2008

Host

Ned Sherrin (1986-2006)

Edward Seckerson (2007)

Paul Gambaccini (2008-)

Co-host

Adjudicator:
Ian Gillies - "Young Grove" (1986-2002)

David Kenrick and Stephen Holland - "Dr Köchel" (2003-present)

Broadcast

BBC Radio 4, 1986-

Synopsis

A wide-ranging musical quiz, originally hosted by musical writer and raconteur Ned Sherrin, and subsequently run by musicals expert Edward Seckerson and the audio all-rounder Paul Gambaccini. The quiz splits into three movements (or rounds, as we'd more usually call them).

The first round, Moderato Questionable, gives a handful of questions to each contestant, with two illustrated by short musical pieces. Two points for a correct answer, the others may buzz in for one point if the answer is incorrect.

Should there be a tie at the end of this round, a further buzzer question (or questions) is asked to determine the order for the next round.

Theme and Variation forms the middle round. Four categories of questions are offered. Some are very specific, such as "Beethoven's Piano Sonatas". Others are more general, for instance "Sunshine and rain". The person leading after the first round gets pick of the four categories, the runner-up chooses from three, and the contestant in last place decides between the remaining two. Each round consists of eight questions, including three musical cues, with two points for a correct answer; incorrect answers are not offered.

After all this has completed comes the final round, Questionable Accellorando. Here, there are about twenty questions, all on the buzzers. The first person to buzz may answer for a point; if they're wrong, they will lose a point, and there are no bonuses.

Though mostly about classical music, Counterpoint includes a significant proportion of questions about jazz, pop, and other forms of modern music. Traditionally, these non-classical questions were never answered correctly, but the number of panel-beaters has been declining in recent years.

Each edition features three contestants, and only the winner of each show progresses to the next round. The series is complete in 13 weeks, and has been running in Radio 4's Monday afternoon quiz slot since 1998.

Inventor

Edward Cole

Theme music

The name of that tune I'm sure you're all reaching for is - what else? - Bach's Partita in E major, arranged and performed by Jacques Loussier.

Trivia

Ian Gillies' nickname of "Young Grove" came about from the popular musical reference work Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.

Feedback

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 ==Synopsis==
-A wide-ranging musical quiz, hosted by musical writer and raconteur Ned Sherrin. The quiz splits into three movements (or rounds, as we'd more usually call them).
+A wide-ranging musical quiz, originally hosted by musical writer and raconteur Ned Sherrin, and subsequently run by musicals expert Edward Seckerson and the audio all-rounder Paul Gambaccini. The quiz splits into three movements (or rounds, as we'd more usually call them).
-The first round, ''Moderato Questionable'', gives five questions to each contestant, with two illustrated by short musical pieces. Two points for a correct answer, the others may buzz in for one point if the answer is incorrect.
+The first round, ''Moderato Questionable'', gives a handful of questions to each contestant, with two illustrated by short musical pieces. Two points for a correct answer, the others may buzz in for one point if the answer is incorrect.
-Should there be a tie at the end of this round, a further buzzer question is asked to determine the order for the next round.
+Should there be a tie at the end of this round, a further buzzer question (or questions) is asked to determine the order for the next round.
 ''Theme and Variation'' forms the middle round. Four categories of questions are offered. Some are very specific, such as "Beethoven's Piano Sonatas". Others are more general, for instance "Sunshine and rain". The person leading after the first round gets pick of the four categories, the runner-up chooses from three, and the contestant in last place decides between the remaining two. Each round consists of eight questions, including three musical cues, with two points for a correct answer; incorrect answers are not offered.
@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 After all this has completed comes the final round, ''Questionable Accellorando''. Here, there are about twenty questions, all on the buzzers. The first person to buzz may answer for a point; if they're wrong, they will lose a point, and there are no bonuses.
-Though mostly about classical music, ''Counterpoint'' includes a significant proportion of questions about jazz, pop, and other forms of modern music. Often, these prove to be panel-beaters.
+Though mostly about classical music, ''Counterpoint'' includes a significant proportion of questions about jazz, pop, and other forms of modern music. Traditionally, these non-classical questions were never answered correctly, but the number of panel-beaters has been declining in recent years.
 Each edition features three contestants, and only the winner of each show progresses to the next round. The series is complete in 13 weeks, and has been running in Radio 4's Monday afternoon quiz slot since 1998.