Music

Philip Glass: Taxi Driver
In the 1970s the composer Philip Glass drove a taxi around Manhattan to make ends meet.
18 Aug 2015,28 mins
Spellbound: Siouxsie and the Banshees
Miranda Sawyer looks at one of music's most distinctive artists Siouxsie and the Banshees.
16 Oct 2012,30 mins
Making the Grade
Why do older people take up instruments and put themselves through music exams?
10 Jan 2017,30 mins
The State of Israel
At a time of change and turmoil in the Middle East, what is happening inside Israel?
06 Nov 2011,30 mins
The World in His Ear
Philip Sweeney finds out about the pioneering composer of African Sanctus David Fanshawe.
04 Oct 2011,30 mins
1Xtra Residency
Aitch Freestyle
Manchester’s Aitch drops a highly anticipated freestyle for Kenny Allstar.
19 Mar 2019,7 mins
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Freak Out! The Frank Zappa Story
Germaine Greer presents a profile of eccentric 1970s rock icon Frank Zappa.
07 Oct 2006,30 mins
Darwin's Tunes
Can you apply Darwin's theory of natural selection to music and create the perfect song?
08 Aug 2012,28 mins
UN Year of the Child 1979
Marking the 20th anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child
22 Nov 1979,45 mins
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
Tracey McLeod recalls the girl groups of the 1960s.
28 Feb 2008,30 mins
The Lost Women of British Jazz
Shining a light on the earliest female jazz pioneers, who were erased from music history.
16 Sep 2014,30 mins
The Sound Makers
Paul Gambaccini meets sound engineers James Lock and Geoff Emerick.
05 Feb 2008,30 mins
Rock Transition
Laura Snapes explores how musicians have defied gender boundaries to create art and music
21 Mar 2017,30 mins
Return to Japan
The BBC Philharmonic returns to Japan for an emotional tour for the first time since 2011.
03 May 2013,28 mins
The Unsent Letters of Erik Satie
Alistair McGowan tells the story of the love letters that composer Erik Satie never sent.
13 Jul 2013,30 mins
On The Road
2. Doom Metal And Beyond
Maddy Prior, lead singer of Steeleye Span, and her daughter Rose Kemp on musical futures
10 Nov 2015,30 mins
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Modern Day Griot
Meet the modern musicians adapting traditional West African music.
05 Jun 2012,30 mins
Aaron Copland, America's Composer
Looking back at a life in music, on the centenary of his birth
06 Nov 2000,24 mins
The Art of the Loop
Composer Matthew Herbert takes a critical look at looping and sampling in modern music.
01 Mar 2014,30 mins
The Hang Drum Phenomenon
Evelyn Glennie explores the extraordinary story of a new percussion instrument - The Hang.
14 Jul 2015,30 mins
The Honest Musician's Fear of Accidental Plagiarism
What happens when a songwriter accidentally copies someone else's song?
27 Jan 2011,30 mins
Field Notes: The Irishman Who Invented the Nocturne
Alistair McGowan uncovers the sensational, creative life of the Irish composer John Field.
17 May 2016,30 mins
Sylvie Simmons: The Rock Chick
Islington-born Sylvie Simmons talks to Nick Barraclough about her life as a rock writer.
16 Apr 2011,30 mins
The True Story of Abner Jay
Laura Barton pieces together the true story of Abner Jay, a most unusual musical talent.
20 Jan 2015,30 mins
Kitch!
Musician and poet Anthony Joseph tries to get to the heart of Calypso star Lord Kitchener
13 Jan 2015,30 mins
Making It Up
Ragga
Looking at links between rap and jazz
21 Mar 1996,13 mins
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Sampledelica! The History of the Mellotron
An early sampler, this 1960s musical invention's fans include Paul McCartney.
30 Jun 2006,28 mins
The Lost Genius of Judee Sill
Ruth Barnes explores the music, life and loves of the singer songwriter Judee Sill
09 Sep 2014,30 mins
Sounds like London: 100 Years of Black Music in the Capital (Omnibus)
Lloyd Bradley explores the story of black music in London from calypso to garage....
02 Aug 2026,70 mins
In Search of the Ideal Music Venue
Acoustics expert Trevor Cox goes in search of the best venues for different types of music
22 Sep 2014,30 mins