SUSAN JEFFREYS’ Radio Week

MICA’S GOSPEL GOLD

SATURDAY, 9PM, RADIO 2 ★★★★ Mica Paris begins a new, spirit-lifting fourpart series about gospel music, featuring new and classic tracks from a genre that has kept hopes high in times of terrible affliction over the decades.

AROUND THE PIANO WITH TOM ODELL

SUNDAY, 8PM, RADIO 2 ★★★★

Tom Odell looks at some of the 1970s singer-songwriters who took pop music in brand-new directions. In the second programme of this repeated series, Tom celebrates the work of Kate Bush.

START THE WEEK MONDAY, 9AM, 9.30PM, RADIO 4

★★★★

The mysterious Nebra Sky Disc is a BronzeAge map of the heavens. It was found in a German village, and will be on display at the British Museum. Neil Wilkin, the curator of the exhibition, tells us what’s known about this beautiful artefact.

THE CLASSIC FM CONCERT

MONDAY, 8PM, CLASSIC FM ★★★ John Suchet gives us sweeping strings, throbbing passion, musical gifts and a favourite work for brides heading to the altar in this Valentine’s Day special.

RADIO 3 IN CONCERT

WEDNESDAY, 7.30PM, RADIO 3 ★★★★

Thomas Tallis wrote music for the courts of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, and is one of England’s great composers. Two of his ethereal works of harmony are included in this concert of Choral Lamentations, given by the BBC Singers.

THE JESTER OF ASTAPOVO

THURSDAY, 2.15PM, RADIO 4 ★★★★ Leo Tolstoy disappeared from his home in 1910 to go on a mysterious mission that ended at a railway station in the town of Astapovo, where he died of pneumonia. This drama, by Rose Tremain, tells the story of Tolstoy’s last journey.

WHO IS ALDRICH KEMP?

FRIDAY, 2.15PM, RADIO 4 ★★★★

The body of a man thought to have died seven years ago washes up in the opening episode of a sinister drama series, set on the edge of reality, starring Nicola Walker.

ARCHERS UPDATE

Ambridge’s roads can be lethal and this winter, they have been made all the more hazardous by restless villagers on the move. They trundle about with their worldly goods, returning to old homes, settling under the roofs of others or even making that epic journey across the swirling waters of the Am. Now, Jim finds himself caught up in this whirl of activity as more than one unwanted house guest puts pressure on the Greenacres menage a trois. Having Kate stomping about doesn’t help, and the aftermath of Valentine’s Day will bring its own challenges. You would be advised to keep your wits about you if you’re thinking of taking a walk through Ambridge in these restless times.