 
                
                        Boredom, Restlessness, Killing Time
An exploration of boredom, as a spur to action or an opportunity for contemplation, in Flaubert's Madame Bovary, Jane Austen's Emma and the songs of Cole Porter and Debussy.
An exploration of the experience of boredom. Whether it's an idle moment or a life sentence, a spur to action or opportunity for contemplation, it's provided writers and musicians with a rich area to explore: Flaubert's Madame Bovary is driven to a disastrous affair, Jane Austen's Emma scorns a boring acquaintance, and Saul Bellow asks, what would boredom be without terror? For Cole Porter, "practically everything leaves me totally cold"; and the Buzzcocks are "waiting for the phone to ring"....
With readings by Pip Carter and Skye Hallam.
Last on
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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    ![]() 00:00 00:00Neil Innes & Vivian StanshallIÂ’m Bored Performer: The Bonzo Dog Band.- EMI 0946 3 87889 2.
- 14.
 
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    Saul Bellowthoughts on boredom from HumboldtÂ’s Gift, read by Pip Carter ![]() 00:00 00:00Philip GlassContrary Motion Performer: Philip Glass (organ).- Elektra Nonesuch 7559793262.
- 2.
 John Cagea zen view of boredom, read by Skye Hallam ![]() 00:00 00:00BuzzcocksBoredom Performer: Buzzcocks.- Mute/The Grey Area scratch1cd.
- 3.
 William ShakespeareMacbeth is bored with life, read by Pip Carter ![]() 00:01 00:01Neil Innes & Vivian StanshallIÂ’m Bored Performer: The Bonzo Dog Band.- EMI 0946 3 87889 2.
- 14.
 Wendy CopeMr Strugnell – a poem satirising Philip Larkin’s verse and life, read by Skye Hallam ![]() 00:02 00:02Cole PorterI get a kick out of you Performer: Ella Fitzgerald.- Essential Jazz Classics EJC554454.
- 6.
 ![]() 00:06 00:06Julius FucikThe Grouchy Old Bear (Der alte Brummbar) Performer: Czech Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vaclav Neumann.- Teldec 8.42337.
- 5.
 H.G. WellsMr Polly is feeling obscurely irritated with his life – or perhaps he is bored…(from The History of Mr Polly), read by Pip Carter ![]() 00:10 00:10Julius FucikThe Grouchy Old Bear (Der alte Brummbar) Performer: Czech Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vaclav Neumann.- Teldec 8.42337.
- 5.
 William Makepeace ThackerayBecky Sharp is initially delighted to be moving in fashionable 18th C circles, but then after a while she finds that it’s all rather tedious – she’d rather be performing at a fair (from Vanity Fair), read by Skye Hallam ![]() 00:16 00:16Igor StravinskyThe Shrovetide Fair (from Petrushka) Performer: The Philharmonia conducted by Eliahu Inbal.- Teldec 229246327-2.
 Charles DickensLord and Lady Dedlock visit Paris, but despite the many attractions and distractions of the city, Lady Dedlock is bored to death (from Bleak House), read by Pip Carter ![]() 00:23 00:23Claude DebussyRecueillement Performer: Felicity Lott (soprano) Graham Johnson (piano).- Harmonia Mundi HM901219.
- 14.
 Margaret Atwoodin this poem called Bored, a girl remembers how bored she was, living with her father, read by Skye Hallam ![]() 00:30 00:30Scott JoplinReal Slow Drag Performer: Philip Dyson (piano).- ASV CDWHL2120.
- 12.
 Friedrich Engelsa description of the stupefying effects of factory work (from the Condition of Working Class in England), read by Pip Carter ![]() 00:33 00:33MosolovThe Iron Foundry Performer: Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra conducted by Bernard Haitink.- Decca 4366402.
- 1.
 Saul Bellowthe power of totalitarianism explained as boredom combined with terror (from the novel, HumboldtÂ’s Gift), read by Pip Carter ![]() 00:39 00:39Dmitry ShostakovichString Quartet no.8, 2nd movement Performer: Borodin Quartet.- Decca 425541-2.
 ![]() 00:43 00:43Aaron CoplandQuiet City Performer: Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.- DG 4273352.
- 5.
 Leroi JonesEpistrophe for Yoda, read by Pip Carter (a Beat Poet stares out of his window in New York, wishing for something to happen) ![]() 00:47 00:47BoyceGavotte from Symphony no.4 Performer: Brandenburg Consort conducted by Roy Goodman.- Hyperion CDA66600.
- 8.
 Jane Austena picnic at Box Hill and Emma makes fun of Miss Bates for being a bore. From the novel Emma, read by Skye Hallam ![]() 00:52 00:52William WaltonScapino (Comedy Overture) Performer: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Groves.- EMI 7 63369 2.
- 2.
 ![]() 00:55 00:55Arthur HoneggerPastorale dÂ’Ete Performer: Lausanne Chamber Orchestra conducted by Jesus Lopez-Cobos.- Virgin Classics VC 791486-2.
- 1.
 Gustave FlaubertEmma Bovary is desperately bored with her life as the wife of a country doctor (from the novel Madame Bovary), read by Skye Hallam ![]() 01:01 01:01Arthur HoneggerPastorale dÂ’Ete Performer: Lausanne Chamber Orchestra conducted by Jesus Lopez-Cobos.- Virgin Classics VC 791486-2.
- 1.
 Fernando Pessoaa Portuguese man compares his boss with life – monotonous and banal, but necessary (from The Book Of Disquiet), read by Pip Carter ![]() 01:10 01:10Procol HarumBoredom Performer: Procol Harum.- Dojo EARLD6.
- 4.
 Broadcast- Sun 5 Jan 2020 17:30ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3
 
 
            