RADIO CHOICE

SWANS fly and swim their way through myths and legends and, being monogamous, are often used as a symbol for fidelity. Fairy tales are full of children turned into swans by wicked witches. A legend grew up that mute swans (pictured) sing just once before they die, giving rise to the phrase ‘swan song’. Continuing his series of NATURAL HISTORIES (RADIO 4, 11AM), Brett Westwood looks at the often belligerent swan’s misleading image of grace and serenity.

THE Royal Northern Sinfonia was founded in 1958, and it became the first UK professional resident chamber orchestra outside London. The Sinfonia is based at the Sage Gateshead, from where it tours the world. RADIO 3 IN

CONCERT (7PM) brings us its big 60th-birthday gala, which opens, aptly, with

Beethoven’s Calm Sea And Prosperous Voyage, and includes Mozart’s joyful Exsultate, Jubilate.

JAMES MORRISON opens the second in his series on modern brass music with some Dixieland jazz, courtesy of Jack Teagarden — and, to James’s delight, it features not one, but two trombones. This week’s TOP BRASS (RADIO 2, 9PM) also includes a cover of a Led Zeppelin hit from Bonerama, music from the intriguingly named Hackney Colliery Band, and a rare recording of Scott Robinson playing the ophicleide — an instrument that preceded the tuba.