The English poet and musician Ivor Gurney (1890-1937) is the subject of a new radio drama by the pianist, teacher and broadcaster Iain Burnside. A Solider and a Maker uses poems, letters and songs to tell the story of Gurney's life, the experience during the First World War and his breakdown and incarceration in an asylum for 15 years. The play, part of the BBC's First World War centenary commemorations, will be broadcast on Radio 3 on Sunday, June 29 at 10pm and will be available on the BBC iPlayer for seven days afterwards.

Gurney will also be the Composer of the Week on BBC Radio 3 during the week starting June 30 (12 noon and again at 6.30pm).

Iain Burnside, who has also recorded a disc of Gurney's songs with Susan Bickley for Naxos, talked to James Jolly about the play and Gurney's life and music. Listen in the Gramophone Player: