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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

Twenty Minutes

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

Eclectic arts magazine programme, exploring a range of fascinating subjects

Eclectic arts magazine programme, exploring a range of fascinating people, places and events

Twenty Minutes: Total Eclipse

Total Eclipse

20/08/2009

BBC Radio 3 - Twenty Minutes, Total Eclipse

Simon Heighes discovers the story of the English doctor who blinded both Bach and Handel.

Simon Heighes discovers the story of the flamboyant English doctor who blinded the two greatest figures in Baroque music - Bach and Handel.

Simon Heighes is joined by Professor Daniel M Albert, an opthalmic surgeon with a special interest in the history of medicine, to discover the story of the flamboyant English doctor who blinded the two greatest figures in Baroque music - Bach and Handel. 

John Taylor was a charlatan - a charismatic, womanising practitioner who lied his way to treat popes, royalty and anyone else who could afford his high fees. He treated Bach, after the composer's failing sight prevented him from continuing to work on The Art of Fugue, performing a procedure known as 'couching' - using a needle to pierce the composer's eyes and displace his cataracts. Some months after his operation - after days filled with pain, fever and vivid hallucinations - Bach died, leaving his great work incomplete.

When Taylor was called upon to treat the eyes of London's foremost musical celebrity, Handel, he completely blinded him and the composer never wrote music again.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

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