Three Hundred Metres In Montparnasse

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Composers, Singers - And Chopin's Piano

20250103

The neighbourhood of Montparnasse in central Paris has been home to some of the most influential artists, writers and composers of the last two centuries, perhaps nowhere more so than the area around Joanna Robertson's street, rue Boissonade.

In the third of her series, Joanna delves into the musical stories of her road - those of its composers, musicians like world-famous trumpet player Maurice Andre, and singers, including her not-so-famous neighbours downstairs, who indulge in a lot of karaoke.... She also shares a tale about a piano found in a building on her street, said to have been that of composer Frederic Chopin. Or was it?

Presenter: Joanna Robertson

Producer: Arlene Gregorius

Editor: Sara Wadeson

Production coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar

Excerpt of Chopin piece played on a Pleyel piano once owned by Chopin: The Cobbe Collection

The patch of Paris that's been home to generations of composers, musicians and singers.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

The area of Montparnasse in Paris has been home to some of the world's most influential composers, singers and musicians. Local resident Joanna Robertson takes us into their world.

[LISTEN NOW]

Gardens Shaping Creative Imaginations

20250102

In the second of her series, Joanna explores the relationship between the road's natural environment and some of its most famous residents, such as the nineteenth century writer Francois-Rene de Chateaubriand who bought land here and cultivated a substantial park. To this day, some of the residents enjoy surprisingly lush gardens behind the street's walls.

Presenter: Joanna Robertson

Producer: Arlene Gregorius

Editor: Sara Wadeson

Production coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar

How a small patch of Paris became home to generations of influential artists and writers.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

The Montparnasse area in Paris has been home to generations of the world's most influential artists. Resident Joanna Robertson explores the impact of its land and gardens on them.

[LISTEN NOW]

The Living And The Dead

20250107

In the last of her series, Joanna explores the lasting influence that some of the area's writers, painters and film-makers have had, and continue to have. Their presence and appeal linger not just in the buildings where they lived, but also in their final resting place, the famous cemetery of Montparnasse, which has become a destination in its own right. Some white marble graves have lipstick stains on them, left by adoring fans.

Presenter: Joanna Robertson

Producer: Arlene Gregorius

Editor: Sara Wadeson

Production coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar

Song 'Sans Toi', performed by Corinne Marchand, from the film 'Cleo de 5 a 7', written and directed by Agnes Varda, in 1962. Lyrics of 'Sans Toi' by Agnes Varda, music by Michel Legrand.

The patch of Paris that's been home to generations of influential artists and writers.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

A small patch of Montparnasse in Paris has been home to famous artists, writers and filmmakers. They remain even in death, in the nearby cemetery, a destination in its own right.

[LISTEN NOW]

The Rue Boissonade

20250101

In the first of her new series of The Essay, Three Hundred Metres in Montparnasse, she takes us there, and reveals some surprising sides to the street, above and below ground. She also introduces us to some former residents, including two intriguing painters.

Presenter: Joanna Robertson

Producer: Arlene Gregorius

Editor: Sara Wadeson

Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar

A street in the Montparnasse area of Paris has been home to important artists for decades.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

The Paris area of Montparnasse has been home to some of the most influential artists and writers of the last two centuries. Some of them lived on a street called Rue Boissonade.

[LISTEN NOW]

Writers And Spirituality

20250106

In the fourth of her series, Joanna explores the unique role that spirituality and religion have played here, and the influence this has had on some of its creative residents. To this day, the street boasts a monastery, a convent and a Korean catholic church. The area has been home to writers and poets who became some of France's most influential, such as Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud. Was it the spirit of the neighbourhood that turned them into Symbolists? And others into Surrealists? Even those seeking forms of spirituality such as that offered by the Persian religion of Baha'ism, found their needs could be met on rue Boissonade.

Presenter: Joanna Robertson

Producer: Arlene Gregorius

Editor: Sara Wadeson

Production coordinator: Maria Ogundele

Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar

The patch of Paris that has been home to influential writers, and a unique spirituality.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

A small patch of Montparnasse in Paris has been home to some influential writers and poets, and also to those living a spiritual life. Is there a connection, asks Joanna Robertson.

[LISTEN NOW]

Episodes

Title	First Broadcast	Comments
Composers, Singers - And Chopin's Piano	20250103	The neighbourhood of Montparnasse in central Paris has been home to some of the most influential artists, writers and composers of the last two centuries, perhaps nowhere more so than the area around Joanna Robertson's street, rue Boissonade. In the third of her series, Joanna delves into the musical stories of her road - those of its composers, musicians like world-famous trumpet player Maurice Andre, and singers, including her not-so-famous neighbours downstairs, who indulge in a lot of karaoke.... She also shares a tale about a piano found in a building on her street, said to have been that of composer Frederic Chopin. Or was it? Presenter: Joanna Robertson Producer: Arlene Gregorius Editor: Sara Wadeson Production coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar Excerpt of Chopin piece played on a Pleyel piano once owned by Chopin: The Cobbe Collection The patch of Paris that's been home to generations of composers, musicians and singers. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. The area of Montparnasse in Paris has been home to some of the world's most influential composers, singers and musicians. Local resident Joanna Robertson takes us into their world. [LISTEN NOW]
Gardens Shaping Creative Imaginations	20250102	The neighbourhood of Montparnasse in central Paris has been home to some of the most influential artists, writers and composers of the last two centuries, perhaps nowhere more so than the area around Joanna Robertson's street, rue Boissonade. In the second of her series, Joanna explores the relationship between the road's natural environment and some of its most famous residents, such as the nineteenth century writer Francois-Rene de Chateaubriand who bought land here and cultivated a substantial park. To this day, some of the residents enjoy surprisingly lush gardens behind the street's walls. Presenter: Joanna Robertson Producer: Arlene Gregorius Editor: Sara Wadeson Production coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar How a small patch of Paris became home to generations of influential artists and writers. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. The Montparnasse area in Paris has been home to generations of the world's most influential artists. Resident Joanna Robertson explores the impact of its land and gardens on them. [LISTEN NOW]
The Living And The Dead	20250107	The neighbourhood of Montparnasse in central Paris has been home to some of the most influential artists, writers and composers of the last two centuries, perhaps nowhere more so than the area around Joanna Robertson's street, rue Boissonade. In the last of her series, Joanna explores the lasting influence that some of the area's writers, painters and film-makers have had, and continue to have. Their presence and appeal linger not just in the buildings where they lived, but also in their final resting place, the famous cemetery of Montparnasse, which has become a destination in its own right. Some white marble graves have lipstick stains on them, left by adoring fans. Presenter: Joanna Robertson Producer: Arlene Gregorius Editor: Sara Wadeson Production coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar Song 'Sans Toi', performed by Corinne Marchand, from the film 'Cleo de 5 a 7', written and directed by Agnes Varda, in 1962. Lyrics of 'Sans Toi' by Agnes Varda, music by Michel Legrand. The patch of Paris that's been home to generations of influential artists and writers. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. A small patch of Montparnasse in Paris has been home to famous artists, writers and filmmakers. They remain even in death, in the nearby cemetery, a destination in its own right. [LISTEN NOW]
The Rue Boissonade	20250101	The neighbourhood of Montparnasse in central Paris has been home to some of the most influential artists, writers and composers of the last two centuries, perhaps nowhere more so than the area around Joanna Robertson's street, rue Boissonade. In the first of her new series of The Essay, Three Hundred Metres in Montparnasse, she takes us there, and reveals some surprising sides to the street, above and below ground. She also introduces us to some former residents, including two intriguing painters. Presenter: Joanna Robertson Producer: Arlene Gregorius Editor: Sara Wadeson Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar A street in the Montparnasse area of Paris has been home to important artists for decades. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. The Paris area of Montparnasse has been home to some of the most influential artists and writers of the last two centuries. Some of them lived on a street called Rue Boissonade. [LISTEN NOW]
Writers And Spirituality	20250106	The neighbourhood of Montparnasse in central Paris has been home to some of the most influential artists, writers and composers of the last two centuries, perhaps nowhere more so than the area around Joanna Robertson's street, rue Boissonade. In the fourth of her series, Joanna explores the unique role that spirituality and religion have played here, and the influence this has had on some of its creative residents. To this day, the street boasts a monastery, a convent and a Korean catholic church. The area has been home to writers and poets who became some of France's most influential, such as Paul Verlaine and Arthur Rimbaud. Was it the spirit of the neighbourhood that turned them into Symbolists? And others into Surrealists? Even those seeking forms of spirituality such as that offered by the Persian religion of Baha'ism, found their needs could be met on rue Boissonade. Presenter: Joanna Robertson Producer: Arlene Gregorius Editor: Sara Wadeson Production coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar The patch of Paris that has been home to influential writers, and a unique spirituality. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond. A small patch of Montparnasse in Paris has been home to some influential writers and poets, and also to those living a spiritual life. Is there a connection, asks Joanna Robertson. [LISTEN NOW]