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The Essay Episodes

  1. Today 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    The Piano of the FutureJohn Foxx - Key Moments

    Musician, singer and composer John Foxx on five evolving pianos which changed his life.

  2. Monday 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    The Lark AscendingSolo

    A soloist’s-eye-view of some of classical music’s miniature masterpieces.

  3. Tuesday 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Rodrigo’s Three Spanish PiecesSolo

    Guitarist Sean Shibe prepares to play a celebrated solo piece of classical repertoire.

  4. Wednesday 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Haydn's Trumpet ConcertoSolo

    Trumpet player Matilda Llloyd prepares to play Haydn's Trumpet Concerto.

  5. Next Thursday 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Bach's Cello Suite No.1 in G majorSolo

    Cellist, Laura van der Heijden, rehearses a masterwork from the classical repertoire.

  6. Next Friday 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Beethoven's Moonlight SonataSolo

    A soloist’s-eye-view of some of classical music’s masterpieces.

  7. Mon 2 Nov 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    1. Noise Meets MusicSymphony of the Wild

    Evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod uncovers melodies and rhythms across the natural world. (R)

  8. Tue 3 Nov 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    2. Singing, Humming and StrummingSymphony of the Wild

    Evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod uncovers melodies and rhythms across the natural world. (R)

  9. Wed 4 Nov 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    3. Plant RhythmsSymphony of the Wild

    Evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod uncovers melodies and rhythms across the natural world. (R)

  10. Thu 5 Nov 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    4. Wild SoundscapesSymphony of the Wild

    Evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod uncovers melodies and rhythms across the natural world. (R)

  11. Fri 6 Nov 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    5. The Hominid ScoreSymphony of the Wild

    Evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod uncovers melodies and rhythms across the natural world. (R)

  12. Mon 9 Nov 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    1. Where Are You From?An Actor's Life: Ralph Fiennes

    Ralph Fiennes in conversation with Neil Dudgeon. 1/5 Early life and training.

  13. Tue 10 Nov 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    2. Early Theatre and Steven SpielbergAn Actor's Life: Ralph Fiennes

    Ralph Fiennes in conversation with Neil Dudgeon: 2/5 First theatre roles, and Spielberg.

  14. Wed 11 Nov 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    3. Robert Redford and Playing HamletAn Actor's Life: Ralph Fiennes

    Ralph Fiennes's acting life, in conversation with Neil Dudgeon. 3/5 Quiz Show and Hamlet.

  15. Thu 12 Nov 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    4. From Voldemort to CoriolanusAn Actor's Life: Ralph Fiennes

    Ralph Fiennes's acting life, in conversation with Neil Dudgeon. 4/5 Film, and Coriolanus.

  16. Fri 13 Nov 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    5. The Actor ManagerAn Actor's Life: Ralph Fiennes

    Ralph Fiennes's acting life, in conversation with Neil Dudgeon. 5/5 The actor manager.

  17. Mon 16 Nov 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    1 - Buffalo HollerPeggy Seeger - A Life in Music

    Peggy Seeger sits at her piano and takes Kate Molleson through her life as a songwriter.

  18. Tue 17 Nov 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    2 - The Fight GamePeggy Seeger - A Life in Music

    Peggy Seeger on scoring The Fight Game, the radio ballad about boxing.

  19. Wed 18 Nov 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    3 - Everyone KnowsPeggy Seeger - A Life in Music

    Peggy Seeger on feminism and the art of writing wry comic songs.

  20. Thu 19 Nov 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    4 - Primrose HillPeggy Seeger - A Life in Music

    Peggy Seeger on writing Primrose Hill, and the love songs that came late in her life.

  21. Fri 20 Nov 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    5 - Everything ChangesPeggy Seeger - A Life in Music

    Peggy Seeger on Everything Changes, the house she grew up in, and becoming old.