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The Essay Episodes

  1. Today 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    James Mollison, tenor saxophoneInstrumental

    Alan Hall talks with musicians about their relationship to their chosen instrument.

  2. Monday 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    The Film StarFive Kinds of Amadeus

    Geoffrey Colman asks Patrick Mackie what Peter Shaffer's 'Amadeus' reveals about Mozart. (R)

  3. Tuesday 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    The ProdigyFive Kinds of Amadeus

    Geoffrey Colman explores what it's really like to be a musical prodigy with Vanessa-Mae. (R)

  4. Wednesday 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    The GeniusFive Kinds of Amadeus

    Geoffrey Colman discovers Dame Jane Glover's reactions to Peter Shaffer's Amadeus. (R)

  5. Next Thursday 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    The ComposerFive Kinds of Amadeus

    Geoffrey Colman discovers Mark-Anthony Turnage's take on Mozart and composer rivalries. (R)

  6. Next Friday 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    The ActorFive Kinds of Amadeus

    Geoffrey Colman meets Simon Callow who first played Mozart in Peter Shaffer's Amadeus. (R)

  7. Mon 19 Jan 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Napoleon’s PianoStories from the Museum of Music History

    1/5 Dr Kate Kennedy delves into the Museum of Music History's extraordinary collection.

  8. Tue 20 Jan 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    The Secret BookStories from the Museum of Music History

    Dr Kate Kennedy delves into the Museum of Music History's extraordinary collection.

  9. Wed 21 Jan 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    The pianist’s finger stretcherStories from the Museum of Music History

    Dr Kate Kennedy delves into the Museum of Music History's extraordinary collection.

  10. Thu 22 Jan 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    The Sutton Hoo LyreStories from the Museum of Music History

    Dr Kate Kennedy delves into the Museum of Music History's extraordinary collection.

  11. Fri 23 Jan 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    A Quadrille from Waterloo’s battlefield,1815Stories from the Museum of Music History

    Dr Kate Kennedy delves into the Museum of Music History's extraordinary collection.

  12. Mon 26 Jan 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    CreativeOn Disappointment

    Rachel Cooke takes a look at the disappointments and let downs of the creative life. (R)

  13. Tue 27 Jan 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    LoveOn Disappointment

    Rachel Cooke looks at the let downs and disappointments of love, and how to overcome them. (R)

  14. Wed 28 Jan 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    FoodOn Disappointment

    Rachel Cooke reveals which food she considers to be the most disappointing. (R)

  15. Thu 29 Jan 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    PoliticsOn Disappointment

    Rachel Cooke looks at the disappointments which seem to be built into political life. (R)

  16. Fri 30 Jan 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    TravelOn Disappointment

    Rachel Cooke takes a wry look at disappointing holidays, and how to avoid them. (R)

  17. Mon 2 Feb 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    02/02/2026Almost Famous

    Ian Sansom celebrates the half-forgotten: the artists and writers who nearly made it.

  18. Tue 3 Feb 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    03/02/2026Almost Famous

    Ian Sansom celebrates the half-forgotten: the artists and writers who nearly made it.

  19. Wed 4 Feb 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    04/02/2026Almost Famous

    Ian Sansom celebrates the half-forgotten: the artists and writers who nearly made it.

  20. Thu 5 Feb 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    05/02/2026Almost Famous

    Ian Sansom celebrates the half-forgotten: the artists and writers who nearly made it.

  21. Fri 6 Feb 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    06/02/2026Almost Famous

    Ian Sansom celebrates the half-forgotten: the artists and writers who nearly made it.