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The Essay Episodes Available now
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Minds at War: "Ulysses"
The writer Fintan O'Toole reflects on James Joyce's novel "Ulysses"
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Handel: Music for the Royal Fireworks
Stephen Johnson studies the audience's reaction to Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks
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Beethoven: Piano Concerto No 4
Stephen Johnson considers how Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 4 thrilled the first audience
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Shostakovich: Symphony No 5
Stephen Johnson considers how Shostakovich's Symphony No 5 surprised it's first audience
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Byrd: Mass for Four Voices
Stephen Johnson considers how Byrd's Mass for 4 voices was received by its first audience
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Mahler's Symphony No 8
Stephen Johnson considers how Mahler's Symphony no 8 was received by its first audience.