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The Essay Episodes

  1. Today 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    The voice is an instrumentIn Voice

    Nicky Spence explores how singers adapt their remarkable instrument.

  2. Tomorrow 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    What happens when it goes wrong?In Voice

    Nicky Spence examines the fragility of the voice.

  3. Friday 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    What happens when it goes right?In Voice

    Nicky Spence celebrates great voices and the power of unforgettable singing.

  4. Saturday 10:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Dear Frida KahloLetters to Artists

    Ian Sansom wonders how Frida Kahlo feels about her merchandise.

  5. Saturday 15:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Dear Frida KahloLetters to Artists

    Ian Sansom wonders how Frida Kahlo feels about her merchandise.

  6. Saturday 21:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Dear Frida KahloLetters to Artists

    Ian Sansom wonders how Frida Kahlo feels about her merchandise.

  7. Sunday 05:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

    Dear Frida KahloLetters to Artists

    Ian Sansom wonders how Frida Kahlo feels about her merchandise.

  8. Monday 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Steve ReichColtrane's Sound

    Ashley Kahn speaks to the composer Steve Reich about the music of John Coltrane.

  9. Next Tuesday 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Archie SheppColtrane's Sound

    Legendary jazz musician Archie Shepp remembers his friend and mentor John Coltrane.

  10. Next Wednesday 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Carlos SantanaColtrane's Sound

    Carlos Santana remembers how he was inspired by the spiritual jazz of John Coltrane.

  11. Next Thursday 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Lakecia BenjaminColtrane's Sound

    Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin explains how she is inspired by the music of John Coltrane.

  12. Fri 25 Sep 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Saul WilliamsColtrane's Sound

    Hip-hop musician and poet Saul Williams explores the music of saxophonist John Coltrane.

  13. Mon 28 Sep 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Lizard PeninsulaThis Sounding Isle

    Kate Kennedy walks to seek out connections between a place and the music it has inspired.

  14. Tue 29 Sep 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Stoke on TrentThis Sounding Isle

    Kate Kennedy walks to seek out connections between a place and the music it has inspired.

  15. Wed 30 Sep 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    Blakes Wood EssexThis Sounding Isle

    Kate Kennedy walks to seek out connections between a place and the music it has inspired.

  16. Thu 1 Oct 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    AldeburghThis Sounding Isle

    Kate Kennedy walks to seek out connections between a place and the music it has inspired.

  17. Fri 2 Oct 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    LondonThis Sounding Isle

    Kate Kennedy walks to seek out connections between a place and the music it has inspired.

  18. Mon 5 Oct 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    05/10/2026Towards Evensong

    Celebrating a hundred years of the BBC’s broadcasting of Evensong.

  19. Tue 6 Oct 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    06/10/2026Towards Evensong

    Celebrating a hundred years of the BBC’s broadcasting of Evensong.

  20. Wed 7 Oct 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    07/10/2026Towards Evensong

    Celebrating a hundred years of the BBC’s broadcasting of Evensong.

  21. Thu 8 Oct 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    08/10/2026Towards Evensong

    Celebrating a hundred years of the BBC’s broadcasting of Evensong.

  22. Fri 9 Oct 2026 21:45
    BBC Radio 3

    09/10/2026Towards Evensong

    Celebrating a hundred years of the BBC’s broadcasting of Evensong.