Podcast
Composer of the Week Podcast
Hosted by BBC Radio 3 · EN
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.
29episodes
Episodes
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Miles Davis 100
5d ago01:20:48Tap to summarizeThis week Kate Molleson explores the life and work of a cultural icon: trumpeter, composer and bandleader Miles Davis, who was born 100 years ago this week and remains one of the most innovative and influential figures in 20th-century music. Kate is joined throughout the week by the leading American jazz critic Nate Chinen. Together, they'll survey his vast recorded output, which spans five decades, prioritising his own compositions but also appreciating the art of improvisation as spontaneous composition.
Transcribe →Florence Price (1887-1953)
3w ago01:26:43Tap to summarizeKate Molleson explores the life and music of Florence Price, joined by pianist and scholar Samantha Ege. From her childhood in Little Rock, where family, education and the realities of racial segregation shaped her early ambitions, Price’s story unfolds through persistence, reinvention and growing recognition. Moving through her years of study and early career, we hear how she drew on African American musical traditions while navigating the social and political pressures around her. In Chicago, she found a vibrant artistic community and new opportunities, leading to orchestral success and national visibility. In her later years, recognition remained uneven, and her music continued to evolve in the face of resistance and neglect, with works still coming to light long after her death.Music featured includes: Negro Folksongs in Counterpoint: No. 4 Shortnin’ Bread Violin Concerto No. 2 Symphony No. 4 in D minor (extract) Scenes in Tin Can Alley: Children at Play Fantasie Nègre No. 1 in E minor Fantasie Nègre No. 2 in G minor String Quartet No. 2 in A minor – Finale Concert Overture No. 2 Adoration Fantasie No. 2 in F sharp minor A Day in the Life of a Washerwoman Fantasie No. 1 in G minor The Goblin and the Mosquito Songs to the Dark Virgin Ethiopia’s Shadow in America (extracts) Symphony No. 1 in E minor (extract) Symphony No. 1 in E minor – Juba Dance Piano Concerto in One Movement (extract) Sympathy My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord The Oak Resignation Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major – Allegro The Mississippi River (extracts) Fantasie Nègre No. 3 in F minorPresented by Kate Molleson Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales and WestFor full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Florence Price (1887-1953) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002vw41.And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z
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Béla Bartók (1881-1945)
4w ago01:10:23Tap to summarizeBéla Bartók was regarded as one of Hungary’s greatest composers. His fellow countryman, the pianist Andras Schiff, called him “one of the giants in the history of music.” But he was also one of the founders of what we now call ethnomusicology, spending much of his time immersed in peasant life, collecting folk songs. As around him Europe was torn apart by conflict, Bartók found relief in rural life and took inspiration from these traditional tunes, incorporating them into his own compositions.Music featured: Romanian Folk Dances Rhapsody for piano, Op. 1, BB36a, Sz. 26 Kossuth Symphonic Poem Sz21 Szekely Folksong, BB 34, "Piros alma" 3 Hungarian Folksongs from Csik, BB 45b, Sz. 35a Eight Hungarian Folksongs Allegro Barbaro 14 Bagatelles For Children Violin Concerto No. 1, BB48a, Sz 36: Andante sostenuto 7 Sketches, BB 54, Sz. 44 Duke Bluebeard's Castle, Sz. 48, Op. 11 Four Dirges, Op. 9a The Wooden Prince, Sz. 60 Village Scenes, Sz. 79 5 songs Op. 15 Hungarian Folksongs (5), for voice & orchestra, BB. 108, Sz. 101 44 Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98 Out of Doors, Sz. 81 Mikrokosmos, Book V String Quartet No. 6, Sz 114 Piano Concerto No. 3, BB 127, Sz. 119Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio Wales and WestFor full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Béla Bartók (1881-1945) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002vl6f And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z
Transcribe →Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
May 101:11:59Tap to summarizeDonald Macleod explores the life and music of Camille Saint‑Saëns, a composer whose career was shaped as much by personality and circumstance as by precocious talent. Raised in Paris by strong‑minded women who recognised his gifts early, Saint‑Saëns grew into a formidable pianist and an alert observer of the musical world around him. He moved easily through the city’s salons, where reputations were made, ideas exchanged, and music absorbed as a social force as much as an art. Alongside influential relationships, including a lasting creative bond with Gabriel Fauré, Saint‑Saëns was drawn into a life increasingly shaped by travel.Music featured includes: Danse macabre, Op. 40 Calme des nuits (Deux Chœurs, Op. 68 No. 1) Violin Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 75 Oratorio de Noël, Op. 12 (Movements 1–4) Symphony No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 2 Tarantelle in A minor, Op. 6 Piano Quintet in A minor, Op. 14 Violin Concerto No. 1 in A major, Op. 20 Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 Le timbre d’argent (extract) Marche héroïque, Op. 34 La jeunesse d’Hercule, Op. 50 A Voice by the Cedar Tree Romance in C major, Op. 48 Romance, Op. 36 Le Déluge: Prelude Samson et Dalila: “Mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix” Requiem, Op. 54 (extracts) Suite algérienne, Op. 60: Prélude Étienne Marcel: Ballet Music (extracts) Cello Concerto No. 1, Op. 33 Le carnaval des animaux Oboe Sonata in D major, Op. 166Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales and WestFor full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002v8nk.And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z.
Transcribe →Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Apr 2401:12:09Tap to summarizeThis week, Donald Macleod traces the making of Joseph Haydn – from his long years of service to the Eszterházy princes on a remote Hungarian estate to his emergence as one of the most celebrated composers in Europe. Working in relative isolation, Haydn developed a distinctive musical voice while managing opera houses, orchestras and singers, gradually attracting attention far beyond the court. As new freedoms allowed him to publish and sell his music more widely, commissions came from Paris, Spain and London, and friendships in Vienna – most notably with Mozart – reshaped his artistic world. The programmes follow Haydn at a moment of transition, as growing fame sits alongside frustration, ambition and a readiness for change that would soon alter his life completely.Music featured includes: Baryton Trio No. 126: Finale Philemon und Baucis: Triumph, dem Gott der Götter! Il mondo della luna: Overture; Non aver di me sospetto Symphony No. 59 in A major ‘Fire’ Armida: Se pietade avete, oh numi L’isola disabitata: Fra un dolce deliro Symphony No. 60 ‘Il distratto’: Presto Piano Sonata No. 20 in C minor, Hob. XVI:20 Missa Cellensis, Hob. XXII:8: Gloria Il ritorno di Tobia: Anna, m’ascolta Symphony No. 81: Vivace Piano Sonata No. 56, Hob. XVI:42 String Quartet Op. 33 No. 4: Finale Piano Concerto No. 11 in D major Symphony No. 98: Adagio Stabat Mater: Sancta Mater istud agas Symphony No. 85 in B flat major ‘La Reine’ String Quartet Op. 33 No. 5: Largo The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross: Nos. 8 & 9 Symphony No. 77 in B flat major: Vivace Three Pieces for Musical Clock: Tempo di minuetto London Trio No. 3: Spirituoso Arianna a Naxos Symphony No. 92 ‘Oxford’: Finale Libera me Symphony No. 45 in F sharp minor ‘Farewell’: FinalePresented by Donald Macleod Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Audio Wales and WestFor full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002typ2.And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z.
Transcribe →Thomas Adès
Mar 2701:01:28Tap to summarizeDonald Macleod talks to British composer, pianist and conductor Thomas Adès.Music featured: Hotel Suite from Powder Her Face Gefriolsae Me, Op 3B Arcadiana Chamber Symphony …but all shall be well Powder Her Face Still Sorrowing Asyla Concerto Conciso The Tempest Lieux retrouvés (Les champs) Violin Concerto Concert Paraphrase on Powder Her Face In Seven Days The Four Quarters Totentanz Coffee-Spoon Cavatina Alchymia Blanca Variations Növények Concerto for piano and orchestra AquiferProduced by Luke Whitlock.For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Thomas Adès: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002sq64And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z
Transcribe →Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)
Mar 2001:06:04Tap to summarizeGaetano Donizetti was one of Italy’s most prolific tunesmiths, with almost 70 operas to his name – about as many as Rossini, Bellini and Verdi all combined - whose arias still cut straight to the heart today. Donald Macleod follows his irresistible rise: from a child brought up in a dark, cramped cellar to become a pioneering master of the style known as bel canto. And like any opera plot, there’s triumph and tragedy, headaches and heartbreak…Music featured: L’Elisir d’amore Gloria (from Messa di Gloria) String Quartet No 5 in E minor Waltz in G major Zoraida Amor marinaro L’Esule di Roma Lucrezia Borgia Lucia di Lammermoor String Quartet No 16 Maria Stuarda Messa di Requiem ll sogno “Nostre misere menti” Il sospiro “Donna felice, stanca d’amore” Poliuto La fille du regiment Les Martyrs La fille du regiment Maria Padilla Trovatella “Sovra il campo della vita” Don Pasquale String Quartet No 18 Dom Sebastien: Seul sur la terre Requiem: Offertorio – Lux AeternaProduced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Wales and West.For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002sd9nAnd you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z
Transcribe →New Zealand Composers
Mar 1301:12:12Tap to summarizeDonald Macleod explores five classical composers from the land of the long white cloud, New Zealand: Douglas Lilburn, Jenny McLeod, Dame Gillian Whitehead, John Psathas, and Gareth Farr.Music featured:Douglas Lilburn: Symphony No 1 Aotearoa Elegy Sings Harry Symphony No 3 Three Inscapes, No 1 17 Pieces for Guitar Symphony No 2Jenny McLeod: Rock Concerto Hear the Great Ocean (from Childhood, No 4) 24 Tone Clock Dolly Bird (Music for Four) Nā Kui ki a Tama: Te Pūroto Kōpua Three celebrationsDame Gillian Whitehead: Hineaukatauri Tōrua Alice Pūhake ki te Rangi Lullaby for Matthew KarohirohiJohn Psathas: RealBadNow – V Craving the World Voices at the End (Mitote) Three Psalms (No 3, Sergei Bk. Ch. 1) Songs for Simon (No 1, His Second Time) Helix (No 3, Tarantismo) The All-Seeing Sky Gareth Farr: Pukul The Horizon from Owhiro Bay Tentang Cara Gamelan Waipoua Headrush Te Papa Kembang Suling Nga Tai Hurihuri From the Depths Sound the Great Sea Gongs (The Invocation of the Sea)Presented by Donald Macleod. Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Audio Wales & West.For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for New Zealand Composers: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002s3nmAnd you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z
Transcribe →Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)
Mar 601:05:19Tap to summarizeThis week, Kate Molleson traces the development of Jean Sibelius’s symphonies. Set against Finland’s changing political climate and Sibelius’s own, turbulent personal circumstances, the podcast explores what shaped each symphony’s character – from the nationalism surrounding Nos. 1 and 2, to the renewed sense of form in the Third, the more inward Fourth, and the reworked Fifth. The week concludes with the distinctive Sixth and the single‑movement Seventh, composed during a period of uncertainty both for Finland and Sibelius himself.Music featured includes: Symphony No 2 in D, Op 43 Song of my Heart, Op 18 No 6 Symphony No 1 in E minor, Op 39 The Diamond on the March Snow, Op 36 No 6 Sunrise, Op 37 No 1 Kyllikki, Op 41 No 3 Symphony No 3 in C, Op 52 The Captive Queen, Op 48 Erloschen String Quartet in D minor, Op 56 ‘Voces Intimae’ Des Abends, Op 58 No 5 Symphony No 4 in A minor, Op 63 Spring’s Spell, Op 61 No 8 Romance, Op 78 No 2 The Oceanides, Op 73 The Echo Nymph, Op 72 No 4 Symphony No 5 in E flat, Op 82 Jokamies, Op 83 Autrefois, Op 96b Symphony No 6 in D minor, Op 104 Danses Champêtres, Op 106 No 1 Symphony No 7 in C, Op 105Presented by Kate Molleson Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Audio Wales and WestFor full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002rr2jAnd you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z
Transcribe →Amy Beach (1867-1944)
Feb 2700:55:46Tap to summarizeDonald Macleod explores how Amy Beach railed against the sexism of her time to journey from a child piano prodigy to a respected composer.Young Birches Valse – Caprice, op.4 3 Songs, Op 2 no 3 - Empress of Night Eilende Wolken, segler der Lufte, Op. 18 Violin Sonata, Op.34 - I. Allegro Moderato Quartet for Strings in One Movement The Lark Quartet Romance for violin and piano, op.23 Ecstasy, Op.19 no 2 Symphony in E Flat, Op.32 'Gaelic' Peace I leave with you Dreaming (4 Sketches, Op.15) Piano Quintet in F sharp minor, Op.67 Deus Misereatur, Op.78 no 2 Jephthah’s Daughter, Op.53 A Hermit Thrush At Morn, Op.92, no.2 Piano Concerto, Op. 45 From Grandmother’s Garden - V. Honeysuckle By the still waters, Op.114 (arr. Lewin for 2 guitars) Hermit Thrush At Eve, Op.92, no.1 (1922) 3 Piano pieces, Op. 128 (I. Scherzino) Ses Yeux, Op. 66 Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 150 Cabildo, Op. 149 “Ah, love is a jasmine vine” Canticle of the Sun Scottish Legend, Op. 54, No 1For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Amy Beach (1867-1944): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002rf45And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-zProducer: Steven Rajam / Sam Phillips
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