TODAY’S RADIO

THE LISTENING SERVICE 4.30PM, RADIO 3

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Later over on Classic FM (see below), there will be four hours of calming music – but before then, Tom Service sets out to see if we can be scared by music. He talks to the neuroscientist Nathalie Gosselin and the Halloween director John Carpenter to explore the darker side of music, and includes scary stuff from Psycho and Don Giovanni.

CLASSIC FM’S PET CLASSICS 6PM, CLASSIC FM HHHH

Four years ago, Bill Turnbull came up with the nice idea of making Bonfire Night less of an ordeal for pets by playing calming compositions. Bill’s wheeze proved a big success with listeners and their furred and feathered companions, so it’s become an

annual event. Tonight, there will be four hours of soothing music, plus listeners’ dedications to their pets. Sadly, there will be no Bill as he is taking a bit of a break.

FOUR THOUGHT 7PM, RADIO 4

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We are meant to ‘battle’ against cancer and overcome illness and injury with positive thoughts – and failing to cope or recover is regarded by many as a sign of wilful weakness. In this sensible and clear-headed radio talk, the writer and poet Sian Ejiwunmi-le Berre says it’s time we stopped seeing illness as a result of negative thinking.

SOUNDS OF THE 80S 8PM, RADIO 2

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There’s something in the air tonight because Voyage, Abba’s first new album in 40 years, has been launched. Full of brand-new songs, Voyage stirs up 1980s nostalgia, and Gary Davies gives in to the feeling as, in the second half of tonight’s show, he turns the full beam of a super trouper on the band and plays the best of their hits from that decade. SJ

1980s Abba (8pm, Radio 2)