today’s radio

HOW TO PLAY

9AM, RADIO 4 HHHH

The lost souls of the First World War cast their shadows over Elgar’s Cello Concerto, and the spirit of the late Jacqueline du Pre seems to hover over the work. The young cellist Sheku Kanneh-mason loves it, but finds it full of sadness and solitude. Elgar, on his deathbed, said he might be heard whistling the haunting theme out on his beloved Malvern Hills long after he was dead and buried. Sheku, Julian Lloyd Webber and other musicians talk about the power of this tear-jerking work of genius.

JIM MORRISON’S WILL TO BE WEIRD

11AM, 9PM, RADIO 4 EXTRA HHH

Paul Gambaccini first heard Jim Morrison back in 1967, and

Jim Morrison (11am, R4 Extra) was impressed by the music of The Doors and their vocalist, the self-proclaimed Lizard King, from the start. On occasion, when he’s in Paris, Paul even visits the man’s grave. This morning, Paul begins a three-part series featuring the music and poetry of the iconic singer who died, in strange circumstances, in 1971.

PLUM HOUSE

11.30AM, RADIO 4 HHHH

This odd but good sitcom, set in a country house museum, returns for a six-part third series. In this opening episode, a troubleshooter arrives to shake the place up. It will not be a happy experience for the various misfits and eccentrics who run the place.

THE FOLK SHOW

9PM, RADIO 2 HHHH

Peter Knight, who played folkrock violin with the legendary Steeleye Span, has teamed up with some younger musicians to create the Gigspanner Big Band. Peter and the band have a new album to promote that includes the sweet, melancholy and slightly sinister track Awake Awake. They join Mark Radcliffe for a live session tonight. SJ