The cult audio play about Middle-earth's master thief "The Hobbit," released in 1937, is Tolkien's first non-academic work and is considered a precursor to the great trilogy "The Lord of the Rings."

We get to know Bilbo Baggins, a typical representative of the Hobbits, who, according to Tolkien, are smaller than the malicious dwarves, tend to become a bit plump around the midsection, and can also laugh deeply and heartily (especially after meals). The fact that an anti-hero like Bilbo—albeit not entirely voluntarily—becomes an adventurer makes him all the more endearing to us.

Featuring Martin Benrath, Horst Bollmann, Bernhard Minetti, and others. (4 CDs, running time: 4 hours 30 minutes).