*

Man On Wire, 2008.

I cry every time I watch this film. I think it’s the use of Satie’s Gymnopédie. It’s one of my favourite classical scores. And he’s doing this ridiculous thing, and they are speaking French. It’s all so romantic.

It’s probably going to be pretty awkward playing “Wes Anderson Bingo” when I go to see Moonrise Kingdom later this week.

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Architecture in the 20th Century

Melvyn Bragg discusses the rise in so-called spectacular architecture at the end of the 20th century, what spectacular architecture says about the age, and examines the new challenges faced in the 21st century. With Daniel Libeskind and Richard Weston.

First broadcast, March 1999.

[That seems so long ago, but the issues discussed are all the more relevant today.]

Direct download link: click here

Listen online: click here

In Our Time Archive

I’ve recently been introduced to this gem… http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/iot

Download the archive of Melvyn Bragg’s superb In Our Time radio series.

Maybe I can become a modern day polymath after all…