James Rhodes

2017-06-18: Pianist James Rhodes joins Jarvis to talk about his documentary, Geeking Glenn Gould. A lifelong fan of the Canadian classical superstar, James enthuses about Gould's recordings and genius musical mind; his prescient understanding of the future for recorded music; and his revolutionary approach to Bach. James remembers when he first became entranced by Gould, and affirms how lucky he felt to make this programme about his idol. Jarvis also asks James about his own unorthodox approach to performing and his passion for demystifying the culture of classical. Plus: an astrophysicist enables us to hear a solar flare; Sally Ride became the first US woman to launch into space, this day in 1983; Kraftwerk; and Canada 150 with Robert Lepage. And Jarvis pays tribute to the late Adam West, who was his childhood hero as Batman. Birthdays: Paul McCartney (we hear his advice to young musicians). 

James Rhodes' Spotify playlist of essential classical music is at bit.do/instrumental

A Self-Help Cosmic Journey

2017-05-28: Imagine your couch has turned into a spacecraft and let Jarvis guide you on a self-help cosmic journey, exploring inner and outer space as we question our place in the universe. Featuring intriguing excerpts from Walker Percy's book Lost in the Cosmos: The Last Self-Help Book. Along the way, we encounter a tap dancing Thora Hird; Cold War commotion with the aviator who landed in Red Square; a super-serene Jeff Bridges; and a thriller writer's lively appetite for scrambled eggs. Birthdays: Thora Hird, Ian Fleming, Walker Percy and György Ligeti (a unique choral composer). 

States of Mind

2016-02-07: Curator Emily Sargent talks to Jarvis about States of Mind, an exhibition at the Wellcome Collection. It explores issues around consciousness, including identity, perception, synaesthesia, somnambulism and memory disorders. Throughout the show, Jarvis reads from the book which accompanies the exhibition; and the music bed comes from William Basinski's Disintegration Loop series, music archived on magnetic tape which has deteriorated rather beautifully. And listeners suggest music tracks that can alter our own states of mind. On This Day, a film premiered about a puppet who gains consciousness, Disney's Pinocchio. We also hear an extract from Stephen Hawking's recent Reith Lecture. Birthdays: Danny Goffey, Ray Mears (on his fascination with forests), Charles Dickens (Armando Iannucci enthuses about the author), King Curtis, Ashton Kutcher, Emo Philips (on visiting the school psychologist), Ossip Gabrilowitsch, Juliette Gréco and Eddie Izzard. Valete: Maurice White.

Sleeping with MAX RICHTER

2015-12-13: With only 12 sleeps to go until Christmas, Jarvis meets contemporary classical composer Max Richter to talk about his 'lullaby for a frenetic world', Sleep.  The eight-hour piece premiered on BBC Radio 3 live from the Wellcome Collection in London, where the slumbering audience lay in beds and the musicians played in shifts. Max discusses his interest in exploring the relationship between music and the subconscious mind. Jarvis recites a dreamy snippet of Coleridge and the listeners suggest some sedative sounds of our own.  Plus: another nod to the Paris climate change talks, and on this day the last ever moonwalk took place — just how would you get to sleep on the moon? Birthdays: Jackie Clune, Jamie Foxx, Tom Verlaine and Lester Bangs. 

A Menagerie of Sound

2015-06-14: Jarvis reveals the results of the vote for Britain's favourite bird, and there's also some chat about pets and a song about going to the zoo. On This Day, the European Space Agency was formed — following the Yuri's Night show, the organisation contacted JCSS with some exciting news about a pop music quiz that they will be broadcasting from the International Space Station (see #spacerocks). Plus, famous songs that nearly ended up on the cutting room floor, and an intimate encounter courtesy of Holly Herndon. Birthdays include Che Guevara, Donald Trump, Boy George, Paul O'Grady, Rowan Williams and Shaun Keaveny. Valete: Jean Ritchie, Christopher Lee

Journey into Space with Jarvis

2015-04-12: On This Day in 1961, Yuri Gagarin left the Earth in a rocket and became the first human in space. Jarvis explores how that event kickstarted the Space Race and gave music and culture a thirst for all things cosmic. We get to imagine we've voyaged into space too, and Jarvis tells us all about Yuri's Night, an inspiring world space party to commemorate milestones in space exploration. Birthdays include David Cassidy, Will Sargent, Oliver Postgate (we hear from the Clangers!), Lois Reeves, Clare Danes and Bobby Moore.

Autumn Equinox

It's the autumnal equinox, and as the nights begin to lengthen, we hear music and facts to do with darkness. Jarvis hopes that on dark Sunday afternoons, we will all stay in and cosy up by the radio — although ideally not playing sudoku... This day in history was significant for the founding of Mormonism; also On This Day, the UK television channel ITV launched. Arthur Lowe narrates another Mr Men story, the tale of trembling Mr Jelly. Jarvis teaches us how to bake scones, in a musical tribute to The Great British Bake-Off. Today is International Car-Free Day; and the listeners are asked which songs make us feel autumnal. Birthdays: Toni Basil, Joan Jett, Nick Cave (with clips from his Sunday Service interview), Tony Drago, Chesney Hawkes, Gideon Coe, Arthur Lowe, Fred and Richard Fairbrass, and Sue Perkins (remembering coming out).

Blue Monday Recipe

Resistance is futile: let the Sunday Service flow through your circuits. The Melomics organisation created music for us using the keywords 'relaxing/Sunday/mellow': was it successful, or can the listeners do better? On This Day, the Miners' Strike ended, the second Opium War started, HSBC was founded and the opera Carmen premiered. Jarvis shares nocturnal sounds from his tropical holiday. This week, New Order's Blue Monday is 30 years old. But what were the secret ingredients of this groundbreaking hit? Its creators give us a flavour. We hear about disappointing birthdays from This American Life. Also today in history, the USA adopted The Star-Spangled Banner as its national anthem and 1933 film King Kong was released. The Peel U is for The Ukrainians. Birthdays: Robyn Hitchcock (discussing religion and belief), Tone-Lōc, Arthur Machen, Ira Glass, Jennifer Warnes, Brian Cox (contemplating Saturn), Ronald Searle (with some wise advice) and Alexander Graham Bell.

From Pigeons to Rabbits via Mozart and the Moon

There's a wildlife theme this week, beginning with warm praise for David Attenborough's series on Africa. Jarvis has a little shout about hoovering. A scientist dispels the myth that Mozart's music makes you intelligent. Pigeons are musical too: artist Kerry Morrison made sheet music with the help of birds in the park. Rabbits are Jarvis's pet hate — another thing he finds a bit of a nightmare is opera. The Peel Q is for Quiet Sun. Today in 2003, the first historically significant selections for the National Recording Registry were announced: we hear two surprising examples. And in 1967 the Outer Space Treaty ensured that the stars would remain free from human conflict. Birthdays: Margo Timmins, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Lewis Carroll (Alan Bennett reads about Tweedledum and Tweedledee), Gillian Gilbert, Tricky (on crime and punishment), Frank Skinner (on The Magic Flute), Rosamund Pike (on her operatic upbringing) and Nick Mason.

Paris Trip

On a crisp winter's day, Jarvis takes us sightseeing around Paris. He walks us from the BBC's Paris studio, up the Champs-Élysées to a record shop. Then he reads about the Gare du Nord and its statues representing European destinations. Today in 2009, Barack Obama was inaugurated, and in 1986 the first Martin Luther King Day was celebrated. There's arcane spoken word from The North Sea Scrolls. The rowdy Peel P is for Panacea. 16 January is when the French do their New Year's thanksgiving: pianist Nils Frahm gives thanks for his unbroken digits. After the Louvre, we warm up with a hot toddy. Birthdays: Clarice Cliff, Hachidai Nakamura, Eric Stewart, David Lynch (who discusses his creative process), Gary Barlow (lamenting his early lyric-writing), DeForest Kelley, Buzz Aldrin (marvelling at the moon landing), Tom Baker (Jarvis does an impression of him), Federico Fellini (considering neorealism), Slim Whitman and Josef Hofmann.

Nautical Show

Ahoy there! Jarvis has been resident in A Room for London, a boat perched atop the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London's Southbank. Michael Morris of Artangel explains the concept and aims of this unique space. Cellist Philip Sheppard uses his eerie electro-cello to accompany Jarvis reading from Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Intertidal archaeologist Fiona Haughey discusses Thames beachcombing and brings some historical artefacts found on the foreshore. The Southbank is hosting Parisian nude cabaret Crazy Horse, so Jarvis and Philip improvise sexy music for two of the dancers. Jim Trimmer of the Port of London Authority chats about moons, tides and how the river can help London to flourish. There's archive of Elizabeth Taylor reading Wordsworth. Historian Dan Cruickshank reveals which bridge has a sinister suicide-strewn past. Busker Don Crown remembers performing as 'Budgieman'. Soumik Datta talks about introducing Indian ragas to QEH audiences. And we hear David Byrne's musical collage of sounds from the Southbank. The Peel E is for East of Eden, and there's a reading by John Peel for T-Rex. As the moon is reflected on the water, Antony Hegarty muses on lunacy and spirituality. Birthdays: T-Pain, Marc Bolan and Truman Capote. Valete: Andy Williams.

Wedding Songs

Baudelaire's poem The Albatross opens the show on this dreary storm-lashed Sunday. Jarvis attended a wedding last night, so listeners are asked to suggest the best and worst songs to play at a wedding disco. He also saw Terry Riley performing in New York alongside the psychedelic Joshua Light Show liquid loops: click here to recreate that experience. Today is Celebrate Bisexuality Day. Jarvis aims to familiarise himself with some of the Mercury Prize nominees. On This Day in 1846, the planet Neptune was discovered. The Peel D is for Dick Dale, who says John Peel was a true gentleman. We hear what CBGB OMFUG stood for; and Jarvis reads John Hegley's meditation on 'in it' vs 'innit'. Birthdays: Euripides, Kublai Khan, Floella Benjamin (on the joy of singing), Karl Pilkington (glum about his birthday), Cherie Blair, Tim Rose, Hilly Kristal, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles and Wally Whyton.

In Memoriam: Dory Previn

Music and dialogue from The Valley of the Dolls open the show.  On This Day, Thomas Edison patented the phonograph, which enabled us to listen to recorded music, and New York exchanged hands.  Songwriter Dory Previn died this week on Valentine's Day.  We hear a megamix of her songs and clips of an interview in which she discusses mental health, Judy Garland, songwriting and how sad songs can be funny.  Jarvis tells the controversial story of Tyneham House in Dorset; and talks about film, including a new documentary about Serge Gainsbourg.  Plus another chance to hear Jarvis reading from The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter.  Birthdays: Carson McCullers, Tony Iommi (remembering the day he lost his fingertips), Seal, Lee Marvin (on his screen persona), Nicolaus Copernicus (why he was so groundbreaking) and Beth Ditto.

A Child's Christmas in Radio

This tinkly, twinkly festive special opens with Roger McGough's dotty gift suggestions from The Dada Christmas Catalogue. It includes a megamix themed around Dylan Thomas's story A Child's Christmas in Wales, featuring readings by Thomas; plus Jarvis reads The Journey of the Magi by TS Eliot and Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost. We also hear the eerie sound of a satellite, because the first communications satellite was launched today in 1958: it carried a peaceful message with a Cold War edge. Birthdays: Keith Richards (on songwriting), Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Charles Wesley (who wrote the words for Hark the Herald Angels Sing) and Michael Moorcock (talking about his deranged dystopian song with Hawkwind, Sonic Attack...)

Getting into the Spirit of Things

 
Cash registers ping a carol: but is shopping the true spirit of Christmas? Jarvis asks what gets you into the spirit of things.  On This Day, Llywelyn the Last died; The Rolling Stones staged their Rock 'n' Roll Circus; Che Guevara addressed the UN; Indiana joined the USA; and Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson had his last drink.  Jarvis reads a story by Grace Paley about her mother, and explains how you can help ATP Recordings make a music video.  Astronaut Gene Cernan reflects on Apollo 17, the last manned moon landing -- Jarvis thinks about space and the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.  This week, Ted Hughes was honoured with a plaque in Poet's Corner, so we hear him explain how to capture the essence of a creature.  Birthdays: Marco Pierre White (on what makes a great chef), Jon Brion, Grace Paley, Jermaine Jackson, Kamehameha V and Brenda Lee.

Celebrating John Lennon's Birth

Jarvis was at the Cheltenham Literature Festival yesterday, where he bumped into Edna O'Brien.  On a literary theme, Robert Auton reads his poem, Father and Son.  To celebrate John Lennon's would-be 71st birthday, there's a megamix with lots of spoken word by Lennon and quotes from his two books of nonsense, In His Own Write and A Spaniard in the Works.  We hear porcine sound art by Matthew Herbert, depicting a month in the life of a pig.  On This Day: World Post Day, a lunar impact test and a Gregorian calendar discrepancy in 1582.  Jarvis muses about the sadness of returning from tour to find the plants have all died, and talks about finding swing dance music for oldies at a jumble sale.  Birthdays: David Cameron, France Gall, Brian Blessed (talking about life and adventure), Jacques Tati and PJ Harvey (on self-reinvention).

Jarvis Brings Back the Boredom

Jarvis asks us to submit the song that summed up Saturday night for us. On This Day, Mendelssohn's violin concerto premiered and the Scopes Trial took place — we hear a little about that Creation v Evolution school textbooks case. Two celestial bodies were discovered: Uranus in 1781 and Pluto in 1930; the latter was named by competition-winner Venetia Burney, aged 11. Philip Larkin reads a poem from his Sunday Sessions collection and Sidney Poitier declaims some Platonic philosophy. Then Jarvis talks a little about triskaidekaphobia, a fear of the number 13. Birthdays: Earl Grey, Sir Hugh Walpole, L Ron Hubbard, Geoffrey Hayes (we're treated to the funky Rainbow theme tune), Mike Stoller, Daniel Lambert (the story of this obese man's life as a Victorian freak), Erma Franklin and Sammy Kaye.

The Voyager Golden Record

On This Day, the Great Fire of London ended, Peter the Great announced a tax on beards and the first Opium War began. The Voyager 1 space probe was launched with a gold phonograph record onboard. Scientist Carl Sagan talks about NASA's intergalactic message in a bottle, its playlist, purpose and intended audience. Jarvis also mentions an artistic clubnight he attended and rants about Boris bikes. As the schools are about to go back, we hear from teacher Jamie Kelsey-Fry about an innovative GCSE Citizenship textbook he's written to inspire kids to get politically active. Birthdays: Chris Morris, Jack Daniel (?), Raquel Welch, John Cage (who has a Zen approach to Q&A sessions), Loudon Wainwright III, Al Stewart, Jesse James, Arthur Koestler (discussing science fiction), Werner Herzog and George Lazenby. Valete: Douglas Bader (he enthuses about aircraft engines).

Port Eliot

Jarvis is at the Port Eliot Festival with a live audience. He announces some oddities overheard from tents, then medieval troubadours Princes in the Tower entertain us. Marcus Coates is interested in where our world converges with the natural world. He plays recordings comparing birdsong to human sounds, and talks about getting people to sing bird calls. On This Day, Blériot flew the Channel, the first transatlantic two-way radio broadcast occurred, Bob Dylan went electric and it's the Inca festival of Ilyap'a. Bill Drummond dislikes rock heritage and warns Jarvis not to reform Pulp! He describes The 17, a choir which is never recorded and only exists for the moment. Here at the festival, he's busy building a bed. Jarvis recommends the Outdoor Swimming Society... Wilko Jonson is here for an Oil City Confidential screening and Q&A. He discusses his jug band, astronomy and the beautiful rings of Saturn. Sound recordist Chris Watson is fascinated by ambient sound and audio environments, and has created a soundscape for the Palm House at Kew. We hear two tracks from his Nature Disco, seals singing and Vulture Carcass. Birthdays: Rita Marley, Thurston Moore, Alain Robidoux. Valete: Hurricane Higgins and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Meditation with Alan Watts

Let's celebrate: 6 Music has survived! On This Day, Martin Frobisher sighted Greenland; the town of Tijuana was founded; the Hollywood Bowl first opened; Jean-Louis Pons observed the first of many comets he discovered; A Tale of Two Cities and To Kill a Mockingbird were first published; Waterloo Station opened; and today there is a total solar eclipse visible from Easter Island. Jarvis reads a poem by Jim Morrison. We hear some of Fleet: Ice Cream Orchestra, a piece for Pixiphone and Grampian horn by Kelvin Pawsey and Chris Yates. We also ponder a tall tale about a phonebox. Spiritual guru Alan Watts gives a mesmeric lecture on the Hindu concept of Om. Cleo Laine reads The Frog's Request by Brian Patten. And Jarvis reveals where his intro/outro music comes from... Birthdays: Reg Varney, Giorgio Armani, Craig Charles, Lil Kim, Yul Brynner, Pete Murphy, Michael Rose and Andrew Bird. Valete: Laurence Olivier.