Composer and Master of the Queen's Music Sir Peter Maxwell Davies talks about his career, there's an interview with maverick architectural talent Zaha Hadid, and a look at the arctic Cape Farewell Expedition, which is all about deriving inspiration from the ice, seas and environment in temperatures of -35°C. Plus Robert Hughes on the latest big art history book.

Conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim, director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Deutsche Staatsoper in Berlin, discusses the art of playing Johann Sebastian Bach. Plus a look at what makes an "original" work of art - is the art-buying public being misled?

As Tate Modern celebrates its fifth birthday, Charles Hazlewood considers the extent of its cultural impact. Plus, Matthew Sweet on how TV taught us parenting, Nick Hornby on his latest novel, and a preview of Robert Lepage's production of opera Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Gillian Ayres discusses her work and Louisa Buck visits two art exhibitions. Lawrence Pollard considers whether 'book towns' such as Hay-on-Wye can halt the decline of second-hand bookshops in the internet age, and there's news on the debate about the siting and design of wind farms.

U2 talk about music, politics and 25 years together, on the eve of the UK leg of their world tour. There's a rare interview with controversial German artist Anselm Kiefer, and leading operatic baritone Bryn Terfel discusses singing Wagner.

Comment on the Turner Prize shortlist, while Henri Rousseau's paintings come to the Tate. Director Tim Burton talks about Corpse Bride and the rising musical stars of the F-ire Collective explain how they plan to shake up British jazz. Plus a glimpse of one of the most ambitious pieces of public art since the Angel of the North.

A rare interview with controversial French author Michel Houellebecq on his new book, The Possibility of an Island, Sir Timothy Clifford on 21 years as the head of Scotland's National Galleries, and how the search for a new way of dealing with the visual arts in remote rural areas has thrown up a new musical fusion: knitting and opera.

Young soprano Katherine Jenkins is the fastest-selling female opera singer since Maria Callas - we consider the canny marketing of popular classical music. George Michael discusses songwriting. Artists' quest for the perfect shade of white. Annie Mac casts off for a spot of fishing as we ask whether angling can ever become female friendly.