Main content

Mark Miodownik

Michael Berkeley's guest is materials scientist Mark Miodownik. His choices of music include Bach, Morricone, Scott Joplin and a little-known piece for brass band by Holst.

From concrete to chocolate and teacups to tennis racquets, it's the everyday stuff of life that fascinates Mark Miodownik. He's Professor of Materials and Society at University College London where he is also Director of the Institute of Making, a research hub for scientists, designers, engineers, artists, architects - and musicians. A passionate communicator about the vital role of science in society, he's written a bestselling book Stuff Matters; he's the scientist in residence on Dara O'Briain's Science Club on ´óÏó´«Ã½2; and he's listed by The Times as one of the 100 most influential scientists in the UK.

Mark is fascinated by how materials influence the way music sounds, and talks to Michael Berkeley about brass bands, tuning forks and how love can bloom over playing the saw. His musical choices include Bach, film music by Morricone, Scott Joplin and a little known piece for brass band by Holst.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 23 Aug 2015 12:00

Clip

Music Played

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Brandenburg Concerto no.6 in B flat BWV1051 (1st mvt: Allegro)

    Orchestra: English Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Benjamin Britten.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Brandenburg Concerto no.6 in B flat BWV1051 (1st mvt: Allegro)

    Orchestra: English Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Benjamin Britten.
  • Carlos d'Alessio

    Duo for saw and cello (Delicatessen - original sound track)

    Performer: Soundtrack.
  • Carlos d'Alessio

    Duo for saw and cello (Delicatessen - original sound track)

    Performer: Soundtrack.
  • Jean Yatove

    Generique Musique (Jours de Fetes)

    Performer: Soundtrack.
  • Jean Yatove

    Generique Musique (Jours de Fetes)

    Performer: Soundtrack.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Sarabande (Keyboard suite in D minor)

    Orchestra: Leopoldinum Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Karol Teutsch.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Sarabande (Keyboard suite in D minor)

    Orchestra: Leopoldinum Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Karol Teutsch.
  • Gustav Holst

    A Moorside Suite (3rd mvt: March: Allegro)

    Performer: Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Conductor: Garry Cutt.
  • Gustav Holst

    A Moorside Suite (3rd mvt: March: Allegro)

    Performer: Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Conductor: Garry Cutt.
  • Ennio Morricone

    The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

    Orchestra: Uncredited orchestra. Conductor: Ennio Morricone.
    • 8662482.
    • CAPITOL.
    • 1.
  • Ennio Morricone

    Il Buono - Il Brutto - Il Cattivo (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - soundrack)

    Performer: soundtrack.
  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Rigoletto (Act III - final scene)

    Orchestra: Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Orchestra. Conductor: Giuseppe Sinopoli. Singer: Edita Gruberová. Singer: Renato Bruson.
  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Rigoletto (Act III - final scene)

    Orchestra: Santa Cecilia Academy Rome Orchestra. Conductor: Giuseppe Sinopoli. Singer: Edita Gruberová. Singer: Renato Bruson.
  • Scott Joplin

    The Entertainer

  • Scott Joplin

    The Entertainer

Broadcasts

  • Sun 31 Aug 2014 12:00
  • Sun 23 Aug 2015 12:00

What makes Boogie-woogie piano legend Jools Holland tick?

What makes Boogie-woogie piano legend Jools Holland tick?

For Private Passions, Jools Holland revealed his piano history to Michael Berkeley.

11 things we learned from Harry Enfield’s Private Passions

11 things we learned from Harry Enfield’s Private Passions

Harry doesn't usually give interviews – but he couldn't say no to Michael Berkeley.

Archive Unlocked: Two Decades of Private Passions

Michael Berkeley introduces memorable interviews from Private Passions' archives.

Podcast