Lines and Dots

Battling metaphorical waves and showing metaphorical physical strength, Chris and Maurice swim the channel in this week's maritime themed episode. Covering the music of Debussy, the poetry of Baudelaire and Arnold, not to mention a discussion of the compositions of Hans Zimmer, the discussion looks at melancholy, restlessness and the enigmatic possibilities of the sea. We also name-drop Anna Lapwo...

Inspired by all the talk of voyaging in last week's episode, Chris and Maurice take a marathon trek through the concept of the journey. From an exposition of Beethoven's approach to musical form and an analysis of Exodus through to Irish Folk ballads and the utopian universe of Iain M Banks, the road is certainly long... First recorded on 17th September 2024.

Following a week of technical difficulties, Maurice and Chris are back for a new season and this time we are discussing 'revenge' - a dish best served, as it turns out, twice! Looking at Virgil's anything-but-epic ending for the Aeneid, Hamlet's messy approach to retribution and some intriguing numbers from the world of Musical Theatre, the discussion takes in everything from personal passions to...

Battling storm-related internet outages, Chris and Maurice survey the bizarre world of absurdity. From sea-cucumbers and musical notation through to an experimental song by Sting and the Police by way of Greek comedy - no stone is left unturned in this parade of the peculiar! First recorded on 19th July 2024.

In Episode 9, Maurice and Chris explore humanity's obsession with Destiny. From the haunting story of Macbeth and the ominious knocking of fate in Beethoven's fifth to the implausible buxsomeness of David Eddings' fantasy writing and the literary genius of Sondheim, the badminton-themed discussion is as out of control as usual. First recorded on 12th July 2024.

In this, the eight episode of the series, Chris and Maurice take a timely look at the relationship between power and influence. Taylor Swift, the emperor Augustus, Whiplash, Mark Hamil - everyone gets a mention! There is even a virtuoso performance on the clarinet.   First recorded on 5th July 2024.

Maurice and Chris explore the concept of Glory and Honour throughout history from Shakespearean Sonnets through the book of Esther and then to a pair of hymns which could not really be more different!   First recorded on 20th June 2024.

In this episode, themed around Nostalgia, Maurice and Chris look at the wistful melancholy of Rachmaninov, the genius of John Williams, the grandeur of Lucan's Pharsalia and the subtle and exquisite beauty of 'The Remains of the Day'. First recorded on 14th June 2024.

Following on from the gloom of death in Episode 4, Maurice and Chris seek out new hope and optimism in this week's broadcast. Considering the construction of hope in Hesiod's account of Pandora, trying to understand Gene Roddenberry's world-view through Star Trek The Next Generation and unpicking the brilliance of Puccini - the stylophone obligato fits right in!   Originally recorded on 7th June 2...

Chris and Maurice enjoy a brutal dance-off (on an intellectual level) in this week's episode, which takes the theme of 'death'. They consider a haunting sea-shanty, the enduring power of the words and music of settings of the dies irae and a poignant poem by Michael Rosen.   First recorded on 23rd May 2024.

In this episode, Maurice and Chris consider the theme of devition through the lens of Akhenaten's religious fervour, Bach's musical genius, mass singing of a spiritual and Cardinal Newman's poetry. All of this, of course, through a badly applied rugby metaphor.   Originally recorded on 16th May 2024.

Chris and Maurice engage in conversations around the antagonisms that arise in music and literature that looks at the role of the individual against the role of the state. They cover Sophoclean tragedy, Beethoven's love and loathing of Napoleon, Margaret Thatcher's interview for Woman's Own and the subjunctively imperfect music of Sandi Thom.

In this pilot episode, Maurice and Chris discuss musical and literary responses to good and evil, starting out with an extract from Cicero's speech against Catiline, moving through Mozart's Magic Flute, Mussorgsky's witch-based nationalism and ending with lines from John Donne.   Originally recorded on Thursday 2nd May 2024.