Strains of Paradise
Samira Ahmed asks why the idea of paradise, a place of perfect happiness, has been so potent in history and how it survives today.
Samira Ahmed asks why the idea of Paradise, a place of perfect happiness, has been so potent in human history and how it survives in the modern world.
Medieval maps at the British Library actually show the places where paradise was thought to exist on earth, in many cases a walled space tantalizingly close to the known world. Samira talks to Peter Barber, Head of Maps at the Library, about early depictions of paradise and how they changed over the centuries.
She also explores how England has been viewed as a kind of paradise - from Shakespeare's 'scepter'd isle' to the dreams of desperate migrants trying to cross the Channel today.
Perhaps the most persuasive idea of paradise exists within elements of Islam, especially some Jihadist groups, for whom the idea of paradise has become an added impetus to violence and self-destruction. Samira talks to the Muslim theologian and Imam Usama Hasan about the place of paradise within core Islamic thinking and about how those ideas have become so dangerously perverted.
Samira also explores the idea of paradise as an ideal still pursued by the rich in their exclusive and often gated hideaways and exotic retreats.
Strains of Paradise is presented by Samira Ahmed, with readings and poetry that include Thomas Hardy and Emily Dickinson and music from the likes of Faure, John Taverner, Van Morrison, Harry McClintock and Delius.
A Whistledown production for 大象传媒 Radio 4.
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Samira reflects on bitterweet visions of paradise.
Music Played
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Vangelis
Conquest of Paradise
- 1492 Conquest of Paradise.
- Atlantic.
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Nico Muhly
Long Phrases for the Wilton Diptych
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Van Morrison
A Town Called Paradise
- No Guru No Method No Teacher.
- Polydor.
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Gabriel Faur茅
Requiem in D Minor, Op48: VII. In Paradisum
Choir: Choir of King鈥檚 College, Cambridge. Orchestra: Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.- Requiem & Messe Basse.
- The Choir of King鈥檚 College, Cambridge.
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Harry 鈥淗aywire Mac鈥� McClintock
The Big Rock Candy Mountain
- Oh Brother, where art though?.
- Mercury Nashville.
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John Taverner
Outside the Gates of Paradise
Performer: Holst Singers.- The Veil of The Temple.
- Signum Classics.
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Frederick Delius
The Walk to the Paradise Garden
Orchestra: Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera.- Brigg Fair/North Country Sketches/ The Walk to the Paradise Garden/ In a Summer Garden Import.
- Argo.
Readings
Title: 鈥楾丑别 Diario of Christopher Columbus's First Voyage to America, 1492鈥�1493 (American Exploration and Travel Series)鈥�
Author: 听Christopher Columbus
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
Title: 听鈥楻ichard II鈥� (The Complete Works of William Shakespeare)
础耻迟丑辞谤:听 William Shakespeare
Publisher: 听Clarendon Press
听
Title: Poem What is 鈥� 鈥淧aradise鈥�
Author: 听Emily Dickinson
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Title: 鈥楾丑别y Looked for Paradise and Found Hell鈥�
Author: Dounia Bouzar
Publisher: 听Editions de L鈥橝telier
Title: 听鈥�Haadi al-Arwaah ilaa il-Afraah鈥�
Author: Ibn al-Qayyim
Publisher: Unknown
Title: 听鈥楥an we find paradise on earth?鈥�
Author: Toni Morrison
Publisher: 听Hay Festival 2014 - As reported in The Telegraph, 27 May 2014
Title:听 Poem 鈥楾o Life鈥�
Author: Thomas Hardy
Publisher: Wordsworth Editions
Broadcast
- Sun 30 Aug 2015 06:05大象传媒 Radio 4