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Series 1: 8. Evelyn Glennie
The world's leading classical solo percussionist Evelyn Glennie talks to John Wilson about her career and some of the key influences on her artistic path.\n\nFrom growing up in rural Aberdeenshire and becoming profoundly deaf at a young age, Glennie traces her route to fulfilling the ambition of becoming the first full-time solo percussionist. She demonstrates the first drum she ever owned, discusses the profound impact of the renowned percussionist James Blades, her teacher at the Royal Academy of Music, and her electrifying 1992 BBC Proms performance of James MacMillan's specially composed percussion concerto Veni, Veni, Emmanuel.\n\nThis Cultural Life is a BBC Radio 4 podcast.
Source: BBC 4
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Series 1: 8. Evelyn Glennie
The world's leading classical solo percussionist Evelyn Glennie talks to John Wilson about her career and some of the key influences on her artistic path.\n\nFrom growing up in ...
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This Cultural Life
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One of the world’s greatest novelists, Salman Rushdie has won many prestigious international literary awards and was knighted for services to literature in 2007. He won th ...
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Nile Rodgers
Nile Rodgers is one of the most successful and influential figures in popular music. As a songwriter, producer and arranger, he has enjoyed a 50-year career with his bands Chic ...
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Series 1: 1. Kenneth Branagh
Actor and film-maker Sir Kenneth Branagh talks to John Wilson about the key influences and inspirations that have shaped his own work. In a wide-ranging conversation, he reveals ...
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Peter Kosminsky
Having started out as a current affairs journalist, Peter Kosminsky made his name by telling contemporary social and political stories in the form of television drama. Warriors ...
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This Cultural Life
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Most popular episodes of This Cultural Life
This Cultural Life
Abi Morgan
Screenwriter and playwright Abi Morgan has worked across a diverse array of themes and genres for more than 25 years. She wrote the television series The Split, a domestic drama ...
10-05-2025
BBC 4
This Cultural Life
Pete Townshend
Pete Townshend, songwriter, guitarist and co-founder of The Who, talks to John Wilson about his cultural influences.\n\nThe Who first stormed the pop charts in 1965 with teenage ...
30-01-2026
BBC 4
This Cultural Life
Sheku Kanneh-mason
Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason was born in Nottingham in 1999 into a big musical family. He and his six siblings all grew up learning classical instruments and appeared on Britain&r ...
22-06-2025
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Michael Palin
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Series 2: Margaret Atwood
John Wilson talks to award-wining author Margaret Atwood about the experiences that shaped her writing.
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Series 1: 7. Kwame Kwei-armah
Playwright and artistic director of London's Young Vic theatre Kwame Kwei-Armah shares some of the influences that have had a significant impact on his work.\n\nKwei-Armah pursu ...
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10-10-2022
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This Cultural Life
Series 1: 6. Nicole Kidman
Oscar winner Nicole Kidman talks to John Wilson about the influence on her career of working with great film-makers.\n\nSince her breakthrough in the 1989 thriller Dead Calm, Ni ...
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Series 2: Jeremy Deller
Award-winning artist Jeremy Deller discusses his career and creative influences with John Wilson.
30-10-2023
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