Composer of the Week - podcast cover

Composer of the Week

BBC Radio 3www.bbc.co.uk

BBC Radio 3's Composer Of The Week is a guide to composers and their music. The podcast is compiled from the week's programmes and published on Friday, it is only available in the UK.

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Episodes

William Schuman

Donald Macleod introduces the life and career of William Schuman - one of the most influential American composers and music administrators of the 20th century.

Oct 07, 201146 min

Vivaldi

Donald Macleod begins his story of an unconventional priest, who wrote The Four Seasons, and became one of the most important musical figures of his age

Sep 30, 20111 hr

Nielsen

Donald Macleod considers the reasons behind the differing opinions of Nielsen's music that prevailed at the end of the 19th century.

Sep 23, 201155 min

Grechaninov

Donald Macleod traces the life and music of Aleksandr Grechaninov, a composer who was considered a revolutionary in the realms of sacred music

Sep 16, 20111 hr 6 min

Weber

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Carl Maria von Weber, a German composer, conductor and pianist of the early Romantic period

Sep 09, 201154 min

Victoria

Victoria's life and music burned with religious fervour. Swept up by the Catholic revival of the counter-reformation, he kept company with saints and created music to inspire the faithful. Presented by Donald Macleod.

Aug 26, 20111 hr

Brahms

Donald Macleod explores in detail five calendar years in the life and work of Brahms.

Aug 19, 201158 min

Arensky

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Anton Arensky

Aug 12, 20111 hr 9 min

Bridge

Examining the life and works of composer Frank Bridge, who for the last century has defied every attempt to pigeonhole his style

Aug 05, 20111 hr 6 min

Liszt

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Franz Liszt, including his early life, touring, his music written in Weimar and Rome, and his later works

Jul 29, 201155 min

Cavalli

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of unsung baroque hero Francesco Cavalli, best known for composing more than 40 operas

Jul 22, 201154 min

Saint-Saens

The life and work of Camille Saint-Saëns, who started out as a child prodigy and young maverick but in his later years became a pillar of the French musical establishment.

Jul 15, 201150 min

Menotti

Donald Macleod introduces the music of Gian Carlo Menotti - a composer who stood apart from his age, creating delightful operas when the genre was considered nearly moribund.

Jul 08, 201152 min

Schubert

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Franz Schubert, introducing music from across the range of his prodigious output and reflecting on the colourful but ill-fated life of a complex character

Jul 01, 201152 min

British Light Music

To accompany Light Fantastic, Radio 3's celebration of light music, Donald Macleod explores the world of British light music with his studio guest, singer, conductor and broadcaster Brian Kay

Jun 24, 20111 hr 13 min

Svendsen

Donald Macleod marks the centenary of Johan Svendsen, who became a Norwegian cultural hero as composer, conductor and saviour of a faltering musical tradition

Jun 17, 20111 hr 5 min

Satie

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Erik Satie, arguably one of the most peculiar, enigmatic and misunderstood figures in musical history

Jun 10, 20111 hr 5 min

Mahler

Donald Macleod explores the last decade of Mahler's life, known as the 'Alma' years.

Jun 03, 201158 min

Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of CPE Bach, and discovers that there is more to him than his famous name.

May 27, 201158 min

George Gershwin

Donald Macleod presents an overview of some of George Gershwin's greatest works, from both the concert stage and the world of musicals - exploring his gift for melody, and his

May 20, 201155 min

Purcell

Donald Macleod explores Henry Purcell's music for the theatre, from songs he wrote for plays in the 1680s to the semi-opera The Indian Queen, which he did not live to complete

May 13, 201156 min

Tchaikovsky

Donald Macleod investigates a little-known 'lost decade' in Tchaikovsky's life - a period the composer spent aimlessly wandering around Europe writing songs, chamber works and religious choral music.

May 06, 201147 min

Holst

Donald Macleod tells the story of one of our most celebrated English composers, Gustav Holst (1874-1934); a man who was deeply suspicious of his own celebrity. His series features many of Holst's works for the stage, including his ballets and complete performances of several rarely heard operas.

Apr 29, 201150 min

Mendelssohn

Donald Macleod explores Felix Mendelssohn's last seven years, starting with his appointment in 1841 to the post of Royal Prussian Kapellmeister in his home town of Berlin.

Apr 22, 201156 min

Granados

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Catalan composer and pianist Enrique Granados

Apr 15, 201150 min

Rachmaninov

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of the Russian composer, pianist and conductor Sergei Rachmaninov

Apr 08, 201150 min

Music at Versailles

Donald Macleod explores the music that was performed at the Palace of Versailles before the French Revolution in 1789

Apr 01, 201158 min

Monteverdi

Donald Macleod follows Monteverdi on the road to stardom at the court of Mantua.

Mar 25, 201153 min

Stravinsky

Donald Macleod explores the final part of Stravinsky's life, considering the impact his experience of America had on the man and his music

Mar 18, 20111 hr 4 min
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