Front Row - 12/11/2009

John Wilson and film critic Jason Solomons assess 2012, the latest apocalyptic film from director Roland Emmerich, whose previous films include The Day After Tomorrow and 10,000 BC. John Cusack plays a failed science-fiction writer who is fated to save his family from erupting volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis. Philip Kerr discusses his latest novel, which recently won the Crime Writers' Association's historical fiction award. Set in Berlin in 1934, If the Dead Rise Not tells the story of Bernie Gunther, a detective investigating the death of two guests staying at the Adlon Hotel. The multi-million-selling singer Norah Jones, daughter of sitar player Ravi Shankar, won five Grammy Awards for her debut album in 2002. She discusses her latest CD, The Fall, which sees a departure from her more traditional jazz sound, embracing elements of contemporary rock. As the winners of the 2009 Arts and Business Awards are announced, John Wilson and Colin Tweedy, chief executive of Arts and Business, debate whether this year's economic downturn is having a significant effect on corporate sponsorship of the arts. Tim Knox, director of Sir John Soane's Museum, tells John Wilson about the latest addition to their collection: a gold mourning ring containing a lock of Napoleon's hair. The Napoleon mourning ring was one of Sir John's prized possessions, but after his death it passed out of the family's ownership. The museum is delighted to welcome its return.