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Benedict Cumberbatch, Tasmin Little, Elena Ferrante

Benedict Cumberbatch explains how he prepared to be superhero Doctor Strange, Tasmin Little and composer Roxanna Panufnik are inspired by Vivaldi, and Elena Ferrante's new book.

Benedict Cumberbatch takes the lead role in Doctor Strange, the latest blockbuster from Marvel studios. He discusses playing one of their less well-known superheroes; the former surgeon who protects the earth with his two mystical objects - the Cloak of Levitation and Eye of Agamotto - and explains how his preparation for this physically demanding film coincided with his performing Hamlet on stage at the Barbican in London.

Elena Ferrante, the author of the Neapolitan Quartet, has always insisted that nothing should come between a reader and her books, and regards public interest in her as an unnecessary distraction. Her new book - Frantumaglia: A Writer's Journey - is a collection of her correspondence and prompted a media storm when it was used as the justification for investigating and revealing her identity. Critic Alex Clark reviews Ferrante's latest literary offering.

Violinist Tasmin Little has, for the first time, recorded Vivaldi's Four Seasons, along with a complementary contemporary piece, Four World Seasons by Roxanna Panufnik. In this new composition each season is evoked by a different country and its music, including autumn in Albania and summer in India. Musician and composer discuss their collaboration.

One glance at the UK album charts reveals that alongside the Drakes, the Two Door Cinema Clubs and the Craig Davids, there is one musical category that refuses to go away. Writer Ben Wardle tries to fathom the enduring appeal of 'Middle of the Road' music.

Presenter: Clemency Burton-Hill
Producer: Angie Nehring.

Available now

30 minutes

Chapters

  • Beneict Cumberbatch

    Duration: 08:40

  • Elena Ferrante

    Duration: 05:48

  • Tasmin Little

    Duration: 08:32

  • Mile of the Road music

    Duration: 04:29

Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange

opens in UK cinemas on 28 October 2016, certificate 12A.

Images - main image above: Benedict Cumberbatch in Doctor Strange

Image credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures UK

Image to the left: Benedict Cumberbatch with Clemency Burton-Hill

Elena Ferrante

Elena Ferrante

聽by Elena Ferrante is published by Europa Editions on 01 November 2016 as an ebook, and in hardback.

Image: Frantumaglia

Tasmin Little

Tasmin Little

A Vision for All Seasons: Music by Antonio Vivaldi and Roxanna Panufnik is out now.

Image: Tasmin Little

Image credit: Melanie Winning

Tasmin聽Little tour details:

Brighton: 29 October 2016

London: 11 November 2016

Cork, Ireland: 16 November 2016

Dartmouth, Devon: 23 November 2016

Watford: 27 November 2016

Cardiff: 01 December 2016

Douglas, IoM; 04 December 2016

Worthing, West Sussex; 06 December 2016聽

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Clemency Burton-Hill
Interviewed Guest Benedict Cumberbatch
Interviewed Guest Alex Clark
Interviewed Guest Tasmin Little
Interviewed Guest Roxanna Panufnik
Interviewed Guest Ben Wardle
Producer Angie Nehring

Broadcast

  • Fri 28 Oct 2016 19:15

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