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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: Zipper and His Father

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Zipper and His Father

02/02/2011

BBC Radio 3 - Twenty Minutes, Zipper and His Father

Reading from Joseph Roth's novel about a father's musical aspirations for his son.

Jonathan Firth reads from Joseph Roth's novel about how a father's musical aspirations for his son go comically off course and lead to family confrontation.

"Why, I asked, was Arnold's older brother never photographed?

He was named Caesar. It seemed this name had proved a burden to the boy, had set him tasks for which he was not born. He had either to be a genius or a scoundrel. With a name like that who coulde ever satify his parents? "

Precisely. And when Herr Zipper, Caesar's father, decides that the boy must learn the violin all hell lets loose. The boy goes to lessons for two years before Herr Zipper makes a shocking discovery, which leads to family confrontation. 

This extract from the author's famous novel about musical aspirations going comically 
off course is read by Jonathan Firth. 

The producer is Duncan Minshull.

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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