The best of BBC Radio 3's flagship arts and ideas programme Night Waves - featuring in-depth interviews with artists, scientists and public figures, vociferous debates, and reviews of the latest cultural events. Night Waves is broadcast on BBC Radio 3 Mon - Thursday at 10pm
Episodes available:
Indefinitely 
Fri, 24 May 13
Duration:
46 mins
With Anne McElvoy. It is of course 200 years this week since the birth of the composer who perhaps excites more strong opinions about his life and work than any other. Professor Paul Rose, Barry Emslie and Dr Barbara Eichner discuss Wagner and antisemitism. What about Prague as a capital of the 20th century? Defending this thought is Derek Sayer and discussing it with him is Andrew Lass and Dr Rajendra Chitnis. And Anne speaks to Michael Landy about his new exhibition at the National Gallery, Saints Alive.
Thu, 23 May 13
Duration:
45 mins
Former physician and best-selling author, Khaled Hosseini talks to Rana Mitter about his latest novel - And the Mountains Echoed - his charity relief work in Afghanistan, and his thoughts on writing a sympathetic Taliban character. As the Man Booker International Prize is announced, Night Waves is first to speak to the winner and discuss the body of their work. What is the way forward for psychiatry? Rana is joined by Lucy Johnstone, Tom Burns and Matthew Smith to discuss. And a first night review by Susannah Clapp of the winner of this year's Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Digraced.
Wed, 22 May 13
Duration:
45 mins
Matthew Sweet talks to the American writer, James Salter...although writer seems rather an inadequate description. He's been a fighter pilot, a rock climber and a film maker as well sitting at a desk staring at a blank page. His memoir Burning the Days came out in the UK in 1997 to huge acclaim and he's published some short stories since then as well but now, after a gap of 34 years, there's a brand new novel - All That Is. Matthew Sweet talks to him about the thrill of flying, women, grief and the consolations of fiction.
Tue, 21 May 13
Duration:
46 mins
Samira Ahmed talks with Lee Smolin, a controversial and prominent figure in the field of theoretical physics, about the search for a new kind of theory that can be applied to the whole universe challenging the way we experience time. Is Italy a Mafia republic? Acclaimed Mafia historian John Dickie, political journalist Annalisa Piras and author Clare Longrigg discuss. Samuel Beckett's 'Not I' premiered 40 years ago. To mark the anniversary the Royal Court theatre is staging the piece again, performed by Lisa Dwan. Lisa and Derval Tubridy, join Samira. Challenges to our concept of the physical world abound with recent news in technological advances. Philosopher Julian Baggini reflects on conceiving the inconceivable.
Fri, 17 May 13
Duration:
45 mins
Anne McElvoy examines the political legacy of Edmund Burke with Conservative MP Jesse Norman, who is keen to point out differences between Burke's more communitarian conservatism and the liberal individualism espoused by some people who describe themselves as conservatives today. Exploring a new exhibition on propaganda and power at the British Library are Eliane Glaser, author of Get Real: How To Tell It Like It Is In A World Of Illusion and Matthew McGregor, Political Director of Blue State Digital who was involved in the 2012 Obama election campaign. Sean Holmes, artistic director of the Lyric Theatre, the actor Adjoa Andoh and Geoff Colman, Head of Acting at Central School of Speech and Drama discuss the future of acting.
Wed, 15 May 13
Duration:
44 mins
Matthew Sweet talks to Peter Brook. The theatre director has had a lifelong relationship with Shakespeare which he has explored in his productions of plays including A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Lear and Hamlet starring actors such as Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud and Paul Scofield. He discusses his new book of essays reflecting on the playwright, The Quality of Mercy.
Wed, 15 May 13
Duration:
45 mins
With Samira Ahmed. Sarah Churchwell and Kevin Jackson discuss the Great Gatsby as a new film, directed by Baz Luhrmann is released. Samira talks to the Indian architect Charles Correa about how he attempts to marry modernism with concern for local meaning in his work. And Samira is joined by historian and blogger Tim Stanley, the historian of Communism Robert Service, and the leader of the Green Party Natalie Bennett to discuss political movements.
Tue, 14 May 13
Duration:
46 mins
Matthew Sweet visits Tate Britain’s unveiling of a comprehensive new vision of its permanent collection. Thematic presentation gives way to strict chronology. Susannah Clapp gives a first night review of Public Enemy, a new production of Ibsen's play about corruption and the nature of the public good. New research has revealed only a very small percentage of the population has made plans for the end of their lives. Matthew and guests discuss the idea of the good death. F R Leavis’ spirit has been summoned to the discussion table in the recent wranglings about what should be taught to children in schools. David Ellis, who studied with, and the novelist Margaret Drabble discuss his influence and reputation.
Fri, 10 May 13
Duration:
46 mins
Anne McElvoy applies herself to the crisis of modern banking, the plight of buildings in Moscow and a masterpiece of British theatre. She talks to Simon Russell Beale and John Simm about the latter, Pinter's early tragicomdedy, The Hothouse, before sharing notes on bankers with the academic economist, Anat Admati and then enlisting the views of the conservationist, Clem Cecil about the Melnikov House - one of the jewels in Russia's modernist crown. She’s also joined by Karen Leeder and Catherine Merridale to discuss the power that Hitler and Stalin still exert over writers in Germany and Russia.
Thu, 9 May 13
Duration:
44 mins
The Mark Rothko Arts Centre has opened its doors for the first time and some of his paintings return to his birthplace in Daugavpils, Latvia. Philip Dodd journeys there to speak to curator, for whom the project has been a labour of love, and Rothko's children about their father's memories of the city. John Beddington is the former chief scientific advisor to the government. He’s represented the interests of the scientific community to Whitehall during an era of massive cutbacks in public spending. He talks to Philip about what role scientists play in the big decisions of public life?
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In-depth documentaries which each week explore a different aspect of history, science, philosophy, film, visual arts and literature.
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