Between the Ears: Brief Encounters

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Innovative and thought-provoking features on a wide variety of subjects

Innovative and thought-provoking features that make adventurous use of sound and explore a wide variety of subjects. Made by leading radio producers.

Brief Encounters

BBC Radio 3 - Between the Ears, Brief Encounters

Stories of real-life chance encounters mark the anniversary of the film Brief Encounter.

Matthew Sweet introduces stories of real-life chance encounters, inspired by the 75th anniversary of Brief Encounter and set to Rachmaninov's haunting Second Piano Concerto.

Stories of real life chance encounters, inspired by the 75th anniversary of the much-loved film Brief Encounter. Introduced by Matthew Sweet.  

Using different recordings of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 - which famously underscores the 1945 film - Between the Ears reflects on how a chance meeting can change our lives forever.

In the 1950s two people bump into each other changing trains at Harrow-on-the-Hill station.  In 2001, two strangers meet on a train bound for Edinburgh.  In 2014 two paths cross in a departure lounge at Toronto Airport.  Meanwhile, a few Christmases ago in a pub in Margate eyes meet across a crowded bar.  

For each person, for good or ill, life will never be the same again.  Between the Ears tells their stories, set to Rachmaninov's haunting music.  

Producer: Laurence Grissell

Sound mixed by Donald MacDonald 

Featuring the voices of:

Barry and Maureen Leveton 
Anna Nation Kähler
Kristen Adamson
Aoife Hanna

Featuring the following recordings of Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto No. 2:

Krystian Zimerman, Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Seiji Ozawa
Leif Ove Andsnes, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Antonio Pappano
Vladimir Ashkenazy, London Symphony Orchestra conducted by André Previn
John Ogdon, Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by John Pritchard

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