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The Essay

Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.

Radio 3,2214 episodes

Episodes

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Instrumental
James Mollison, tenor saxophone
Alan Hall talks with musicians about their relationship to their chosen instrument.
09 Jan 2026,14 mins
Instrumental
Karen Tweed, piano accordion
Alan Hall talks with musicians about their relationship to their chosen instrument.
08 Jan 2026,14 mins
Instrumental
Garklein Ensemble, recorders
Alan Hall talks with musicians about their relationship to their chosen instrument.
07 Jan 2026,14 mins
Instrumental
Siobhan Edwards, tenor horn
Alan Hall talks with musicians about their relationship to their chosen instrument.
06 Jan 2026,14 mins
Instrumental
Johnny Flynn, violin
Alan Hall talks with musicians about their relationship to their chosen instrument.
05 Jan 2026,14 mins
Instrumental
Zoë Martlew, cello
Conversations with musicians about their chosen instrument.
13 Jun 2025,14 mins
Instrumental
Gurdain Rayatt, tabla
Conversations with musicians about their chosen instrument.
12 Jun 2025,14 mins
Instrumental
Yolanda Charles, bass guitar
Conversations with musicians about their chosen instrument.
11 Jun 2025,14 mins
Instrumental
Timothy Rundle, oboe
Conversations with musicians about their chosen instrument.
10 Jun 2025,14 mins
Instrumental
Kim Moore, trumpet
Conversations with musicians about their chosen instrument.
09 Jun 2025,14 mins
Winterreisen
Frozen Tears by Mark Haddon
A new short story by Mark Haddon about a winter journey at Christmas, inspired by Schubert
24 Dec 2025,14 mins
Winterreisen
Winter Machine by Jo Lloyd
A new short story by Jo Lloyd about a winter journey at Christmas, inspired by Schubert.
23 Dec 2025,14 mins
Winterreisen
Stevie by Wendy Erskine
New short story by Wendy Erskine about a winter journey at Christmas, inspired by Schubert
22 Dec 2025,14 mins
Accompanying Austen
Fernando Velázquez on Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Fernando Velázquez speaks to Antonia Quirke about scoring an Austen adaptation.
19 Dec 2025,14 mins
Accompanying Austen
Ruth Barrett on Sanditon
Antonia Quirke speaks to composers who've scored Austen adaptations. Today, Ruth Barrett.
18 Dec 2025,14 mins
Accompanying Austen
Jeremy Sams on Persuasion
Antonia Quirke speaks to composers who've scored Austen adaptations. Today, Jeremy Sams.
17 Dec 2025,14 mins
Accompanying Austen
Rachel Portman on Emma
Antonia Quirke speaks to composers who've scored Austen adaptations. Today, Rachel Portman
16 Dec 2025,14 mins
Accompanying Austen
Adrian Johnston on Becoming Jane
Adrian Johnston talks to Antonia Quirke about composing the score for Becoming Jane.
15 Dec 2025,14 mins
Scotland in Song
Hamish MacCunn
Poet Kenneth Steven chooses to explore the stories of five different Scottish composers.
12 Dec 2025,14 mins
Scotland in Song
Marjory Kennedy-Fraser
Poet Kenneth Steven chooses to explore the stories of five different Scottish composers.
11 Dec 2025,14 mins
Scotland in Song
Sophia Dussek
Poet Kenneth Steven chooses to explore the stories of five different Scottish composers.
10 Dec 2025,14 mins
Scotland in Song
Tobias Hume
Poet Kenneth Steven chooses to explore the stories of five Scottish composers.
09 Dec 2025,14 mins
Scotland in Song
Robert Carver
Poet Kenneth Steven looks at the lives of Scottish composers.
08 Dec 2025,14 mins
Electronic Women
Laurie Anderson
Hannah Peel delves into the stories and sound worlds of five female electronic pioneers.
05 Dec 2025,14 mins
Electronic Women
Suzanne Ciani
Hannah Peel delves into the stories and sound worlds of five female electronic pioneers.
04 Dec 2025,14 mins
Electronic Women
Eliane Radigue
Hannah Peel delves into the stories and sound worlds of five female electronic pioneers.
03 Dec 2025,14 mins
Electronic Women
Delia Derbyshire
Hannah Peel delves into the sounds and stories of five female electronic pioneers.
02 Dec 2025,14 mins
Electronic Women
Daphne Oram
Hannah Peel delves into the sounds and stories of five female electronic pioneers.
01 Dec 2025,14 mins
Opera on a Plate
Bellini
Walter Iuzzolino seeks out the perfect match of food and music, entwined in Italian opera.
21 Nov 2025,14 mins
Opera on a Plate
Verdi (Rome)
Walter Iuzzolino seeks out the perfect match of food and music, entwined in Italian opera.
20 Nov 2025,14 mins