Looking to hear those in the know talking about musicians?
Here are some places to start on the BBC, alongside the BBC Bitesize pages. Are there others? Let us know!
1. Add to Playlist
BBC Radio 4, Fridays at 7.15pm, and on BBC Sounds
Probably my favourite – each episode starts with one piece, and then explores the connections with other pieces to form a playlist. Guest artists and speakers include Roderick Williams, Jennifer Pike, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Jess Gillam and many others
Click here to see a list of all programmes*
2. BBC Composer of the Week (with Donald Macleod)
BBC Radio 3, Monday to Friday at 12pm, and on BBC Sounds
Click here to see a list of all programmes
A Level and GCSE set work specific episodes:
- Purcell
- Vaughan Williams and On Wenlock Edge
- Debussy & Pagodes
- John Coltrane
- Berlioz & Shakespeare
- Berlioz, ‘Ophelia’, and Symphonie Fantastique
- Saariaho & her use of Electronics
- Stravinsky & The Rite of Spring
3. BBC’s The Listening Service (with Tom Service)
BBC Radio 3, Sundays at 5pm, and on BBC Sounds
Click here to see a list of all programmes*
A Level and GCSE set work specific episodes:
- Purcell (as part of Great Lives with soprano Emma Kirkby):
- John Williams
- Beethoven
- Bach
- Bach, Luther, & The Reformation
- Debussy L’aprés-midi
- Debussy (Impression)
- Vaughan Williams
- ‘English Music’
- Saariaho
- Stravinsky
* not every episode is available when you want – this is at the whim of the BBC, but worth bookmarking and checking.
The Listening Project Blog 