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Commuters

Readers Kate O’Flynn and Paul Copley explore the journey to and from work, where we consider our place in the world. Featuring texts from Chekhov, Theroux and the Tao Te Ching.

The daily commute isn’t always a grind. Readers Kate O’Flynn and Paul Copley explore the journey to and from work as a space where we consider our place in the world.

It can be a time to fantasise about the familiar strangers around us; where, as the world flashes by the window, we go into reveries, conjuring memories, imagined lives, and lyrics to songs. And while for many of us the journey to work is safe, habitual and easy, for others it’s a time where both the majesty and perils of the world are felt most keenly.

Featuring poetry and prose by Chekhov, Kafka, Theroux and Hardy, and from the Tao Te Ching and the coal mines of Wales, as well as documentary archive from Ethiopia and Patagonia.

Music selections include Franz Schubert, Fanny Mendelssohn, Meredith Monk, Gavin Bryars and Charles Mingus.

Produced by Chris Elcombe.

A Reduced Listening production for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3.

1 hour, 14 minutes

Last on

Sun 3 Feb 2019 17:30
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3

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Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Richard Thézé

    Commuter, read by Kate O’Flynn

  • 00:00

    Tullis Rennie

    To Kentish Town (excerpt)

  • ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World Service, 2003

    Excerpt from ‘Water Walks’

  • 00:09

    Meredith Monk

    Walking Song

    • Volcano Songs.
    • ECM Records.

  • Suketu Mehta

    Excerpt from ‘Maximum City’, read by Paul Copley

  • 00:15

    Ritesh Das & Toronto Tabla Ensemble

    Chatterbox

    • Weaving.
    • Naxos World.
  • 00:18

    Antonín Dvořák

    Humoresque, Op. 101, No. 7

    Performer: Dame Moura Lympany.
    • Best-Loved Piano Classics 1.
    • Seraphim.

  • From ‘The Times’, 1836

    Do’s and don’ts for those taking the omnibus, read by Kate O’Flynn

  • 00:21

    Oscar Brand

    Humoresque (Passengers Will Please Refrain)

    • Bawdy Songs and Backroom Ballads Vol.3.
    • Audio Fidelity.

  • Paul Theroux

    Excerpt from 'The Old Patagonian Express', read by Paul Copley

  • 00:25

    Charles Mingus

    Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am

    • Oh Yeah.
    • Atlantic.
  • 00:25

    Gavin Bryars

    Excerpt from One Last Bar Then Joe Can Sing (Bar 107)

  • Robert Louis Stevenson

    Ordered South, read by Kate O’Flynn

  • Kafka, trans. Willa and Edwin Muir

    On The Tram, read by Kate O’Flynn

  • 00:31

    Portico Quartet

    Window Seat

  • Thomas Hardy

    Midnight on the Great Western, read by Paul Copley

  • 00:34

    Fanny Mendelssohn

    Das Jahr: 12 Characterstucke No. 3: March

    Performer: Els Biesemans.
    • Fanny Hensel-Mendelssohn: Das Jahr.
    • Genuin.

  • Ovid - Metamorphoses Book II, trans. Arthur Golding

    Helios’ description of his journey to his son Phaethon, read by Paul Copley

  • ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TV

    Excerpt from Patagonia: Earth’s Secret Paradise

  • 00:42

    Benjamin Britten

    4 Sea Interludes Op. 33a: 4 - Storm

    Orchestra: Ulster Orchestra. Conductor: Vernon Handley.
    • Britten: Orchestral Works.
    • Chandos.

  • Anna Woodford

    (T)here iv, read by Kate O’Flynn

  • 00:46

    Portico Quartet

    Window Seat

    • Window Seat.
    • Real World Productions Ltd.

  • Tao Te Ching trans. John Bright-Fey

    Chapter 45, read by Kate O’Flynn

  • 00:51

    Franz Schubert

    String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D.810 'Death and the Maiden': 2 - Andante con

    Performer: Takács Quartet.

  • Anton Chekhov trans. Constance Garnett

    In The Cart (excerpts), read by Paul Copley

  • 00:56

    Franz Schubert

    String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D.810 'Death and the Maiden': 2 - Andante con

    Performer: Caroline Clemmow. Performer: Anthony Goldstone. Music Arranger: Robert Franz.
  • 00:58

    Franz Schubert

    String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D.810 'Death and the Maiden': 2 - Andante con

    Ensemble: Takács Quartet.
    • Death and the Maiden.
    • Hyperion.

  • World Service, 2003

    Excerpt from ‘Water Walks’

  • 01:01

    Anonymous Ethiopian Singers

    Water Drawing Chant - Borana Wells

    • Music From Ethiopia.

  • Aneuryn Owen

    Shaft of Song, read by Paul Copley

  • 01:04

    Daniel James

    Calon Lan

    Composer: John Hughes. Choir: Treorchy Male Choir.
    • Diamond Collection.

  • ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TV

    Excerpt from ‘Patagonia: Earth’s Secret Paradise’

  • 01:09

    Jan Garbarek

    Spor

    Performer: Charlie Haden. Performer: Jan Garbarek. Performer: Egberto Gismonti.
    • Magico.
    • ECM Records.

  • Elliot Figman

    Station Music, read by Kate O’Flynn

Broadcast

  • Sun 3 Feb 2019 17:30
    ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3

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