Tom Service joins Rachel Podger and her violin for a walk in the Brecon Beacons to talk about her new album ‘Tutta Sola’ which features lesser-known solo violin music of the 18th century. Rachel discusses the new musical discoveries she’s made through making the album and what it means to play solo, and she treats us to some solo Bach live on a hillside.

Tom talks to Ukrainian musicians and musical leaders about their musical life in Ukraine right now and how music and music-making is both an escape from the trauma of everyday life during the war, and a strong representation of Ukrainian national identity. We hear from conductor Ivan Cherednichenko at Lviv National Opera, Tetyana Kostorna at Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra, Sergey Didok at the National Operetta of Ukraine in Kyiv and pianist Antonii Baryshevskyi.

Edward Dusinberre, violinist and leader of the Takacs Quartet, discusses his new book ‘Distant Melodies - Music in Search of Home’ which explores ideas of home and exile through the lives and music of Elgar, Britten, Bartok and Dvorak, together with his own musical childhood in England and life as a touring musician living in America.

Gabriella Di Laccio, soprano and Founder of Donne, Women in Music, joins Tom to look at the latest Equality & Diversity in Global Repetoire Report which reveals that only 7.7% of pieces performed by 111 orchestras worldwide in 2021/22, were written by women. Artistic Director at London Philharmonic Orchestra Elena Dubinets reflects on the findings and shares her vision for change.

Producer: Matthew Dover