Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.

Find out how to listen to other BBC stations

Episode details

Radio 3,04 Dec 2025,14 mins

SeriesElectronic Women

Suzanne Ciani

The Essay

Available for over a year

Composer Hannah Peel delves into the sounds and stories of five female electronic pioneers, exploring some of her personal musical heroes: women who paved the way for the sort of music she makes today. Tonight, the "diva of the diode" Suzanne Ciani. Hannah meets the composer who was christened 'America’s first female synth hero' and brought a swirl of sounds and circuitry into the mainstream, as well as into people's TV through her work in advertising such as creating Coca Cola's famous pop and pour sound effect. Hannah chats to Suzanne about her career and sits down with composer and producer Marta Salogni to explore some of Suzanne's musical techniques.

Programme Website
More episodes