Words and Music

Original version

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

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

Drama

Music: Classical

A journey of discovery, weaving music with poetry and prose read by leading actors.

A weekly journey of discovery, weaving together a range of music with poetry and prose read by leading actors.

Words and Music: Electricity

Electricity

BBC Radio 3 - Words and Music, Electricity

Frankenstein, lightning, the national grid, Bob Dylan, electronic orchestral instruments.

Writings by Naomi Alderman, Ian McEwan, DH Lawrence, Stephen Spender and Polly Atkin. We have pylons, power cuts, surges and sparks with music. Make sure your radio's earthed.

From pylons "tall with prophecy"  to the literal darkness of power cuts and the life force of lightning - today's programme hears extracts from writers including Naomi Alderman, Michel Faber, DH Lawrence, Stephen Spender, Gregory Orr and Polly Atkin who have explored electricity as a life-force of energy and the metaphor for the spark of creativity. Music fizzes through the programme, from Bjork, Janacek, Philip Glass, Jeff Beck, Blanck Mass, along with Bob Dylan's electric masterpiece Maggie's Farm and the exquisite electricity of the tragic young American violinist Michael Rabin. Nikolas Tesla, who worked on electric power and induction coils used in radio technology, died on January 7th 1943. As we explore electricity - please make sure your radio is properly earthed. Sparks may fly. 

With readers Rosie Cavaliero and Ray Fearon. 






Producer: Paul Frankl

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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Words and Music

Electricity

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