Sound of Cinema

BBC Radio 3

2.3 (19)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
UPDATED WEEKLY

Matthew Sweet's weekly look at music for the screen

5 HR. AGO

Alfred Hitchcock

From the driving energy of North By Northwest to the iconic string stabs of Psycho, music is an integral part of what makes Alfred Hitchcock's films stand out. Matthew Sweet finds out what makes them so good and looks at times when Hitchcock and his composers disagreed. To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema".

18 min
6 DAYS AGO

A celebration of German film

As part of Radio 3's European Road Trip, Matthew Sweet explores some of the best soundtracks in German cinema. To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema".

21 min
JAN 2

Music from films themed around the Vatican

What is the sound of Papal Rome? Matthew Sweet explores the music of films set in and influenced by the Vatican. From Morricone's melancholy oboe in The Mission to Hans Zimmer's massed choirs and menacing strings in Angels & Demons. Nino Rota's score for The Godfather Part III exquisitely demonstrates both the pageantry of the Catholic Church and Michael Corleone's personal feelings of guilt in the film. Meanwhile, the solo guitar highlights the intimacy between the two protagonists in Bryce Dessner's score for the gripping biographical drama The Two Popes, highlighting the intimacy between the popes of the film's title. The Vatican has even issued a list of films it deems important so we'll hear the music that they're recommending, such as On The Waterfront, The Lavender Hill Mob and The Wizard of Oz. To listen on most smart speakers, just say: "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema.”

17 min
JAN 2

Comfort films

Presenter Matthew Sweet cosies up with the soundtracks of films that bring comfort to those dark, wintry nights… From the life-affirming joy of Studio Ghibli classic My Neighbour Totoro to the 80s cinema thrills of Raiders of the Lost Ark, he uncovers why film scores don't necessarily need to be twee to warm our hearts… To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema".

15 min
12/23/2024

Christmas film scores

Hop on board the Polar Express! Matthew Sweet's unwrapping the greatest Christmas film soundtracks. We'll be walking in the air with Howard Blake's Snowman and Home Alone with John Williams. To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema".

19 min
11/30/2024

Cinematic Presidents

In cinema, US presidents have been portrayed as heroes, villains, great leaders who unite the world and hopeless puppets who are the butt of jokes. In this episode, Matthew Sweet casts his vote on classic soundtracks to films including Nixon and Independence Day. Celebrating the 1991 blockbuster, Point Break, as it returns to cinemas in the UK. To listen on most smart speakers, just say: "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema."

16 min
11/16/2024

The Roman Empire

With the release of Gladiator II in cinemas, Matthew Sweet brings us the music of the Roman Empire - as told by Hollywood - from Alex North's scores for Spartacus and Cleopatra, Miklos Rozsa's epic music for the equally epic Quo Vadis? and Ben Hur. Matthew is also joined by composer and academic Dr MaryAnn Tedstone Glover to find out if the music we now think of as Roman sounds anything like what the Romans themselves would have heard. To listen on most smart speakers just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Sound of Cinema".

21 min
10/31/2024

Hollywood composer Marc Shaiman

Sleepless In Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, The Addams Family, Hairspray, Mary Poppins Returns, Marc Shaiman's music has been a part of our lives for over three decades. One time king of the Romcom score, master arranger and songwriter, Marc talks to Matthew Sweet about his career and introduces cues from some of his many scores. As well as those listed above, the programme also features music from Mr Saturday Night, City Slickers, The American President, LBJ, Bros, and Marc's chosen Classic Score of the Week.

29 min

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2.3

out of 5

19 Ratings

Yeah can you guys make it so the podcast work please?

02/16/2019

luckysiper243

Why doesn’t it work?
Unavailable

07/27/2022

TRAtl

Would be great if we could play episodes in US.
Only available at BBC

12/28/2020

axejudge

You can only listen to this podcast at BBC.co.uk/podcasts It’s not the only BBC one with this problem.
cannot played

11/01/2020

ooutrww

Don‘t konw why it is not able to played. I am using my US acxount.