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Artworks

Imaginative documentaries about culture and the arts from BBC Radio 4. Explore creativity from Michelangelo to Manga, and Beethoven to Beyoncé. Available only on BBC Sounds.

Radio 4,27 episodes

Episodes

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Three Faces of DH Lawrence
3. Nature
Michael Symmons Roberts examines the place of nature in DH Lawrence’s work.
27 May 2025,29 mins
Three Faces of DH Lawrence
2. Class
The second part of this new series about DH Lawrence examines class in his life and work.
20 May 2025,29 mins
Three Faces of DH Lawrence
1. Sex
A major new three-part series examining one of Britain’s greatest writers, DH Lawrence.
13 May 2025,29 mins
Surrounded by Sound: Ray Dolby and the Art of Noise Reduction (Dolby Atmos Version)
Matthew Sweet discovers the life and work of Ray Dolby, inventor of Dolby Noise Reduction.
06 May 2025,28 mins
Surrounded by Sound: Ray Dolby and the Art of Noise Reduction (Binaural Version)
Matthew Sweet discovers the life and work of Ray Dolby, inventor of Dolby Noise Reduction.
06 May 2025,28 mins
Paul Simon's Political Storm
The legacy of one the most popular and controversial album releases ever - Graceland.
29 Apr 2025,29 mins
Art that Conquered the World
The Mona Lisa
James Fox asks how the Mona Lisa became the most famous painting in the world.
22 Apr 2025,28 mins
Art that Conquered the World
The Scream
James Fox asks how Munch's The Scream became one of the most famous artworks in the world.
15 Apr 2025,28 mins
Art that Conquered the World
The Great Wave
James Fox asks how Hokusai's The Great Wave became so famous.
08 Apr 2025,28 mins
Art that Conquered the World
The Hay Wain
James Fox asks how Constable's The Hay Wain became so famous.
23 Jul 2024,28 mins
Hip-Hop Homework
Nkem Ifejika owes everything to hip-hop. But how should he share that with his son?
01 Apr 2025,28 mins
Talk Talk: Living in Another World
Guy Garvey explores the mystery surrounding Talk Talk and their frontman Mark Hollis.
25 Mar 2025,29 mins
Orchestras of Auschwitz
Leo Geyer has been studying and decoding the orchestral music of Auschwitz.
18 Mar 2025,28 mins
Roleplay
Blanche DuBois
One big role. Actors who have played the part tell their stories. Today: Blanche DuBois
10 Mar 2025,29 mins
Roleplay
Fagin
One big role. Actors who have played the part tell their stories. This time: Fagin.
03 Mar 2025,28 mins
Roleplay
Cleopatra
One big role. Actors who have played the part tell their stories. This time: Cleopatra
24 Feb 2025,28 mins
Roleplay
Waiting for Godot
Stories and reflections by actors from across the world who have all played the same part.
02 Mar 2023,28 mins
Roleplay
Peter Pan
Stories and reflections by actors from across the world who have all played the same part.
23 Feb 2023,28 mins
Roleplay
Lady Macbeth
Stories and reflections of actors from across the world who have all played the same part.
16 Feb 2023,28 mins
Introducing Artworks
Discover BBC Radio 4’s home for imaginative documentaries about culture and the arts.
20 Feb 2025,3 mins
50 Years of the Koln Concert
After 50 years of Keith Jarrett's Koln Concert Kevin le Gendre unpicks its enduring appeal
14 Jan 2025,28 mins
Beyond Burns
Alistair Heather explores the richness of modern Scots language poetry.
07 Jan 2025,28 mins
What a Shocker! The Sensational Life of Leigh Bowery
Nick Grimshaw explores the life and work of performance artist Leigh Bowery.
31 Dec 2024,28 mins
Dreaming of Connie Converse
Poet Emily Berry explores the music and mystery of Connie Converse.
27 Dec 2024,28 mins
The Hazard of the Die
An actor tries to stage a major play during a drug trial for his incurable disease.
22 Oct 2024,28 mins
The Lost Archives of James Baldwin
The extraordinary discovery of lost archives of the writer James Baldwin in Provence.
30 Jul 2024,28 mins
Symphony of a Billion
An investigation into an unexpected barometer of Indian culture - classical music exams.
16 Jul 2024,29 mins