Episode 3 - The Amorous Flute

To many, the recorder is a modest schoolroom instrument. But not for David Munrow - one of the most dynamic and influential musicians of the 20th century... For him, it became the gateway to a musical world bursting with colour, curiosity and adventure.

Half a century after his sudden death, The Essay takes a fresh look at Munrow’s remarkable impact on British musical life. As a performer, teacher, broadcaster and pioneer of Early Music, Munrow had an infectious energy that captivated audiences who had never encountered these sounds before. His passion for the recorder wasn’t about nostalgia, but about unlocking new ways of hearing - playful, radical and unexpectedly modern.

Recorded inside the Royal Academy of Music and drawing on a rich archive of papers, scores and historic performances, this series brings listeners closer to the maverick spirit behind the music. With contributions from expert Edward Breen, we revisit Munrow’s ground-breaking work and rediscover how one man - and one “underrated” instrument - helped change the sound of a generation.