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Michael Wood, historian

Michael Berkeley's guest is the historian and broadcaster Michael Wood.

The historian Michael Wood has shared his enthusiasms and expertise with television viewers and readers around the world for almost five decades.

He’s brought us complex individuals such as Alexander the Great, pivotal conflicts such as the Trojan War, and national histories, including the Story of India, the Story of China and a people’s history of Britain.

And here on Radio 3, he’s one of the distinguished historians joining Gillian Moore for Key Changes, a year-long series charting one thousand years of musical history, on air on Saturdays and on BBC Sounds.

Michael's musical choices include Monteverdi, Bach, Messiaen and Chopin.

10 days left to listen

1 hour, 26 minutes

Last on

Sun 17 May 2026 12:00
BBC Radio 3

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Joyce Trotman, teacher and writer

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Margaret Busby, publisher and editor

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Music Played

  • Frédéric Chopin

    Prelude in E minor, Op 28 No 4

    Performer: Martha Argerich.
    • Chopin: 26 Preludes Scherzo NR. 2 - Martha Argerich.
    • Deutsche Grammaphon.
    • 4.

  • Hildegard von Bingen

    Spiritus Sanctus vivificans vita

    Singer: Anna Sandström. Choir: Armonico Consort. Director: Christopher Monks.
    • Naked Byrd two: Armonico Consort.
    • Signum Classics.
    • 6.

  • Comtessa de Dia

    A chantar m'er de so qu'eu no volria

    Ensemble: Sibil•la Ensemble.

  • Jimi Hendrix

    Little Wing

    Ensemble: The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
    • Axis: Bold As Love.
    • Legacy Recordings.
    • 6.

  • Guillaume de Machaut

    Messe de Nostre Dame (Agnus Dei)

    Choir: Oxford Camerata. Conductor: Jeremy Summerly.
    • Machaut: La Messe De Nostre Dame - Le Voir Dit.
    • Naxos.
    • 5.

  • Claudio Monteverdi

    In questo lieto e fortunato giorno (L'Orfeo)

    Singer: Mark Tucker. Choir: Monteverdi Choir. Orchestra: English Baroque Soloists. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
    • 50 Baroque Masterpieces.
    • Decca (UMO).
    • 2.

  • Oumou Sangaré

    Saa Magni

    Singer: Oumou Sangaré.
    • Ko Sira.
    • World Circuit.
    • 4.

  • Trad.

    The Blue Cockade

    Performer: Miranda Sykes. Performer: Show of Hands.
    • As You Were (Live on Tour Autumn 2004).
    • Hands on Music.
    • 6.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Cello Suite No 6 in D major, BWV 1012

    Performer: Yo‐Yo Ma.
    • The Cello Suites, Inspired by Bach :Yo-Yo Ma.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 10.

  • Olivier Messiaen

    Quatuor pour la fin du Temps (5th mvt)

    Performer: Pierre‐Laurent Aimard. Performer: Alain Damiens. Performer: Pierre Strauch. Performer: Maryvonne Le Dizès.
    • Messiaen-Quatuor pour la fin du Temps.
    • Universal Music Division Decca Records France.
    • 5.

  • Al Hibbler & Duke Ellington and His Orchestra

    I'm just a lucky so-and-so

    • Al Hibbler: The Singles Collection1946 - 59.
    • Acrobat.
    • 15.

Broadcast

  • Sun 17 May 2026 12:00
    BBC Radio 3

Podcast

  • Private Passions

    Guests from all walks of life discuss their musical passions.