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British culture and European influence

Cultural discussion programme. Andrew Marr on British culture with Paul Kildea, Munira Mirza and Laura Tunbridge.

Britain has imported its culture from Europe for generations. Andrew Marr presents a special edition from Hatchlands Park in Surrey, home to the Cobbe Collection of musical instruments including pianos owned by Chopin, Mahler and Marie Antoinette.

Frederic Chopin had a pan-European career. He swapped his native Poland for Paris, fled to Mallorca in search of sunshine and inspiration, and toured Britain twice, complaining bitterly about the 'crafty' locals and 'dreadful' British weather. But he had a huge impact on the musical scenes he left behind. Paul Kildea charts Chopin's journey across Europe. Sitting at the keys of Chopin's own piano, Kildea explains how this visionary composer shaped Romanticism.

European composers and performers in Britain faced a tougher reception in the wake of two world wars. In her new book, Singing in the Age of Anxiety, Laura Tunbridge depicts the contradictions of a generation that viewed Wagner as a cultural high-point - but decried all things German as enemy propaganda. At the same time radio and gramophones dramatically altered the way people heard and responded to music.

The digital world offers vast new audiences, but also brings new challenges to those in the arts. Munira Mirza is Director of HENI Talks, an online platform that aims to share cultural information and understanding with much wider audiences. By combining leading experts and world-famous works such as the Mona Lisa, she wants to take art outside the gallery. As former Deputy Mayor for Culture in London, Mirza envisages a future in which we have a truly international cultural scene.

Producer: Hannah Sander.

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43 minutes

Last on

Mon 2 Jul 2018 21:30
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Paul Kildea

Paul Kildea is a conductor and author. He was head of music for the Aldeburgh Festival 1999–2002, and artistic director of Wigmore Hall in London 2003–05.

Chopin’s Piano – A Journey Through Romanticism is published by Allen Lane.

Munira Mirza

Munira Mirza is the Head of , a new, non‑profit project to promote art and art history online through short films. She was Deputy Mayor of London for Culture and Education between 2008‑2016.

Laura Tunbridge

Laura Tunbridge is Professor of Music, Henfrey Fellow and Tutor in Music at St Catherine’s College, University of Oxford.  

Singing in the Age of Anxiety is published by University Of Chicago Press and is out later this summer.

Credits

Presenter Andrew Marr
Interviewed Guest Paul Kildea
Interviewed Guest Laura Tunbridge
Interviewed Guest Munira Mirza
Producer Hannah Sander

Broadcasts

  • Mon 2 Jul 2018 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Mon 2 Jul 2018 21:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Podcast

  • Start the Week

    Weekly discussion programme, setting the cultural agenda every Monday