Front Row Folgen

Scottish artist Katie Paterson’s exhibition at Turner Contemporary, Margate, explores our relationship with the vastness and mysteries of the universe, as she works with scientists who have pioneered research on the cosmic spectrum. The artist discusses her fascination with the physical world.So many successful TV shows have non-celebrities at their heart, from documentaries to reality programmes like Made in Chelsea and Great British Bake Off. But how do programme-makers find the contributors who will make interesting viewing? Co-director of production company Drummer TV Rachel Drummer Hay and TV critic Emma Bullimore give their perspective on what makes a good cast. The 2018 Ted Hughes Award highlights outstanding contributions made by poets to our cultural life. Front Row talks to the winner of the £5000 prize, live from the award ceremony, minutes after the announcement is made this evening.As a member of The Beat, Ranking Roger was one of the stars of British Ska, bringing his “toasting” skills to many of the band’s big hits. To mark his death, music critic and broadcaster Kevin Le Gendre pays tribute.Presenter: Janina Ramirez Producer: Kate Bullivant

A history of classical music in 10 minutes. Pianist Jeremy Denk traces seven centuries of Western Classical Music in one recital and album, C.1300 – C.2000, demonstrating at the piano the evolution of harmony from the medieval composer Machaut to Philip Glass. Author Arundhati Roy has agreed to appear at Hay Festival in May following the loss of sponsorship from corporate Tata. Will Gompertz reports on the growing trend for arts organisations to drop significant investment from businesses which artists and audiences see as unethical. Does tragedy still have a place in contemporary British theatre? Playwrights Roy Williams and April De Angelis, and Dr Rosie Wyles, lecturer in classical history and literature at the University of Kent, discuss.Presenter: Stig Abell Producer: Hannah Robins

Politics and Big Band music :British musician Matthew Herbert has created The State Between Us, a new album made in reaction to the progress of Brexit. It's a work which includes original composition, choral elements and recorded sounds which reflect the triggering of Article 50; there's someone walking the Irish border, someone eating fish and chips and even someone flying a WWII bomber. Matthew Herbert discusses his intentions for the work, recording in Europe, and why he changed the name from The Brexit Big Band to The Great Britain and Gibraltar European Union Membership Referendum Big Band. The album is released on Friday 29th March – Brexit Day - and there are two performances that same day at London's Royal Court Theatre.A new exhibition at Tate Britain brings together the largest group of Van Gogh paintings shown in the UK for nearly a decade. Van Gogh and Britain charts Vincent's years in London between 1873 and 1876 as a young art dealer before he tookup painting. Head curator Carol Jacobi and specialist Martin Bailey discuss the influence of Britain on Van Gogh’s art, and his art on British artists in subsequent years.This week also sees the opening of a new film about Van Gogh directed by Julian Schnabel. At Eternity’s Gate features Willem Dafoe as the artist in his later – and most productive – years working in the South of France. The director describes his artistic vision for the film.The singer Scott Walker has died. We speak to prize-winning author and Scott Walker fan Eimear McBride - who wrote the introduction to a book of his lyrics - about his extraordinary varied careerPresenter: Kirsty Lang Producer: Oliver Jones