BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Noise: A Human History: An Ever Noisier World

An Ever Noisier World

Noise: A Human History

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Noise: A Human History, An Ever Noisier World

Prof Hendy travels to Accra, a city so loud that visitors describe it as a visceral shock.

David Hendy explores how the volume of modern life has risen inexorably, visiting the noise rich capital of Ghana, Accra.

The 20th century brought attempts to distinguish between 'necessary' and 'unnecessary' noise. In New York, the authorities tried to clean up Coney Island fairground, banning barkers from using megaphones and targeting street sellers, newspaper boys, and buskers. But the volume of modern life has risen inexorably. 

Professor David Hendy of the University of Sussex travels to Ghana's capital, Accra, a city so loud that visitors describe its streets as a visceral shock, and introduces an elegiac recording of the wild soundscape we've lost, captured by the celebrated naturalist, Bernie Krause.

30-part series made in collaboration with the British Library Sound Archive.

Signature tune composed by Joe Acheson. 
Producer: Matt Thompson

A Rockethouse production for BBC Radio 4.

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Documentaries

Factual: History

Prof David Hendy on the role of sound and listening in 100,000 years of human history.

Prof David Hendy presents a 30-part series exploring the role of sound, and listening, in the past 100,000 years of human history.

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Programme Index

Noise: A Human History

An Ever Noisier World

Genres

Series

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