Free Thinking

Glenda Jackson MP and film critic Mark Kermode celebrate the work of the late Ken Russell, the film director of groundbreaking and controversial films about Delius, Tchaikovsky, Elgar, Liszt, Mahler and Strauss.

Novelist Pat Barker and Revd Giles Fraser discuss with presenter Ian McMillan what British writers can learn from the Russian classics, along with readings from their personal favourites by actor Melanie Gray.

Christine Rice with presenter Matthew Sweet, conclude the series of events in which musicians from this year’s Proms season introduce readings from their favourite works of fiction and poetry.

Composer Anthony Payne introduces readings about and by one of the great composers in this year's Proms, Ralph Vaughan Williams. Reader: Dominic Rowan. Presenter: Rana Mitter Producer: Zahid Warley

The Music Director of the ENO Edward Gardner, who will be conducting a concert performance of Peter Grimes in this year's Proms season, reveals his literary passions and talks about what he'll be reading this summer. Rana Mitter presents.

Veteran war reporter Kate Adie and novelist Aminatta Forna discuss Margaret Atwood's groundbreaking feminist novel, 'The Handmaid's Tale', twenty five years after its publication, in which a religious revolution has overthrown the American government. Anne McElvoy presents.

Poet Jackie Kay and novelist Ali Smith discuss one of the great Scottish novels, Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon, the first part of his Scots Quair trilogy, set in a Scottish farming community.

Conductor David Hill continues the series in which leading musicians from this year’s Proms season introduce their literary passions and talk about what they are reading this summer. Anne McElvoy presents. Anne McElvoy presents.

BBC correspondent Ed Stourton is joined by Ahdaf Soueif & Karl Sharro

Conductor Jane Glover begins a new four part series in which musicians from this year's Proms season reveal their literary passions and talk about what they're reading this summer. The presenter is Rana Mitter, with extracts performed by Simon Callow.