Afternoon on 3

On Radio 3 now

14:00Afternoon on 3

Listen Live

  1. BBC Radio 3
  2. Programmes
  3. The Essay

The Essay

Series of programmes debating and exploring arts and cultural topics.

Get in touch...
the.essay@bbc.co.uk
Call: 03700 100 300

Programmes:
on BBC iPlayer (5)
coming up (4)
Previous programmes:
by series (77)
by year (337)

Available now on BBC iPlayer

  1. Listen to the latest programme

    Nature in China Wild Wall - The Unkempt and Unrestored Wall

    More:
    programme information

    Listen now (15 minutes)

    Available since yesterday with 6 days left.

    2/4. Robert Macfarlane explores nature in China, visiting the Great Wall.

  2. Also available

    1. Nature in China Wild Water - Swimming in the Ice

      More:
      programme information

      Listen now (15 minutes)

      Available since Monday with 5 days left.

      1/4. Robert Macfarlane joins veteran winter swimmers in a Beijing park.

    2. Haydn Essays Haydn's Head

      More:
      programme information

      Listen now (15 minutes)

      Available since Friday with 2 days left.

      5/5. Robert Winston explores the events surrounding the theft of Haydn's head from his grave.

    3. Haydn Essays Haydn and Humour

      More:
      programme information

      Listen now (15 minutes)

      Available since Friday with 1 day left.

      4/5. Stephen Johnson reflects on Haydn's sense of humour.

    4. Haydn Essays Haydn and Cosmology

      More:
      programme information

      Listen now (15 minutes)

      Available since last Wednesday with 9 hours left.

      3/5. Richard Holmes explores Haydn's reaction to the ideas of the astronomer William Herschel.

Coming up

Today, 23:00 on Radio 3

3/4. Robert Macfarlane travels to the heart of China to visit the holy peak of Minya Konka.

3 more programmes coming up in the next 7 days (including repeats).

More like this

Find related BBC Radio 3 programmes.

Explore the BBC

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.