Composer of the Week Podcast

By BBC Radio 3Music

Composer of the Week Podcast episodes

October 23 Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
Kate Molleson explores the life and music of Giuseppe Verdi, following the rebellious streak that carried him from a small village in northern Italy to the centre of the operatic world. Supported by mentors but determined to follow his own path, Verdi overcame early setbacks, personal tragedy and professional uncertainty to become one of the defining voices of nineteenth-century music. As success brought fame, he continued to challenge convention, confronting censors, testing the boundaries of opera and refusing to bend easily to public expectations. Along the way, his music became closely entwined with the story of a changing Italy, turning a provincial composer into a cultural figure of national significance.
Presented by Kate Molleson
Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales
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 Giuseppe Verdi: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0032s5w/episodes/guide
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
Music featured includes:
Nabucco: "Va, pensiero"
Romanza senza parole
Messa di Gloria
Pater Noster
Oberto, conte di San Bonifacio: "Oh patria terra, alfine io ti rivedo"
Aida: Grand March
Sei Romanze (1838): Nos. 1
Oberto, conte di San Bonifacio: Overture
Un giorno di regno: Sinfonia
Requiem: Lux aeterna; Libera me
Attila: Prelude
Un giorno di regno: "Pietoso al lungo pianto"
Nabucco: Sinfonia; "Gli arredi festivi"
Ernani: Act I scenes
Macbeth: Prelude; Act I scenes
Rigoletto: "La donna è mobile"
Rigoletto: Act I scenes
Luisa Miller: "Ti desta, Luisa"
Stiffelio: Overture
La traviata: Act I scenes
La traviata: "Libiamo ne' lieti calici"
La battaglia di Legnano: scenes
Simon Boccanegra: "Plebe! Patrizi!"
Don Carlo: Act III scenes
Requiem: Dies irae
1 hr 14 min
October 16 Tania León
Kate Molleson explores the life and music of Tania León in conversation with the composer herself. Born in Cuba and later settling in the United States, León has built an international career as a composer, conductor, educator and advocate for new music. From her early musical experiences in Havana and the influence of Cuban culture, to her work in New York's dance community and collaborations with performers around the world, León reflects on the people, places and ideas that have shaped her creative life. Along the way, she discusses encounters with figures including Nelson Mandela, Marian Anderson, Leonard Bernstein and Conlon Nancarrow, as well as the experiences that have informed a body of work spanning orchestral, chamber, vocal and stage music.
Presented by Kate Molleson
Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Audio Wales
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 Tania León: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0032fwy
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
Music featured includes:
Parajota Delaté
Rituál
Haiku
Chan Chan
Batá
Homage to Prokofiev
Batéy
Journey
Ajiaco
Carabalí
Oh Yemanja (Mother's Prayer) from Scourge of Hyacinths
Singin' Sepia (Five Songs on Poems by Rita Dove)
Saóko
Horizons
De Memorias
Tumbao
Esencia
Rondó a la Criolla
Alma
Inura (Understanding)
A tres voces
Bailarín
Pasajes
Zero Plus Anything
Homenatge
Stride
Elegia a Paul Robeson
Raíces (Origins)
1 hr 43 min
October 09 The Venetian School
Donald Macleod explores the rise and fall of the Venetian School, the group of composers who helped make sixteenth-century Venice one of the musical capitals of Europe. As the Republic's political and commercial influence began to wane, its cultural life flourished. Music spilled out from churches, confraternities, publishing houses and civic celebrations, while St Mark's Basilica became the focal point of a distinctive and influential musical tradition. From the arrival of Adrian Willaert to the contributions of Cipriano de Rore, Andrea Gabrieli, Giovanni Gabrieli and their contemporaries, Donald traces a period of extraordinary innovation, rivalry and artistic ambition, set against the ceremonies, politics and myths of the Most Serene Republic.
Presented by Donald Macleod
Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Audio Wales
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 The Venetian School: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00320zw
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
Music featured includes:
Giovanni Gabrieli: O Magnum Mysterium
Claudio Merulo: Benedicam Dominum
Francesco Canova da Milano: Fantasia No. 19 "Bellissima"
Adrian Willaert: Vecchie Letrose
Adrian Willaert: Infelix ego
Claudio Merulo: Toccata VIII
Adrian Willaert: Veni Sancte Spiritus
Adrian Willaert: Lauda Jerusalem Dominum
Claudio Merulo: Cumque beatissimus Marcus Evangelista
Adrian Willaert: Vespro della Beata Vergine: Dixit Dominus
Cipriano de Rore: De le belle contrade d'oriente
Jacques Buus: Ricercare
Giovanni Bassano: Deus qui beatum Marcum
Giovanni Bassano: La rose (after Willaert)
Cipriano de Rore: Missa Praeter rerum seriem – Credo; Sanctus & Benedictus
Andrea Gabrieli: Asia felice hor ben posso chiamarmi
Cipriano de Rore: Descendi in Hortum Meum
Gioseffo Zarlino: Modulationes per Philippum de Monte
Andrea Gabrieli: Missa Vexilla Regis – Gloria & Credo
Andrea Gabrieli: Ricercar VII
Baldassare Donato: Chi la gagliarda
Gioseffo Zarlino: Adiuro vos, filiae
Giovanni Gabrieli: Sacrae Symphoniae – Canzon III a 4
Andrea Gabrieli: Egredimini videte
Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon duodecimi toni
Andrea Gabrieli: Ecco Vinegia bella
Gioseffo Zarlino: Pater noster, Ave Maria
Andrea Gabrieli: Gloria a 16
Giovanni Gabrieli: Magnificat, C75
Baldassare Donato: Viva sempre
Giovanni Croce: In spiritu humilitatis
Giovanni Gabrieli: Deus qui beatum Marcum
Giovanni Gabrieli: Sonata XX a 22
Giovanni Croce: Quaeramus cum pastoribus
Giovanni Bassano: Tota pulchra es
Giovanni Gabrieli: Kyrie
Giovanni Gabrieli: O quam suavis
Giulio Cesare Martinengo: Regum Mundi
Giovanni Gabrieli: Litaniae Beatae Mariae Virginis, C63
1 hr 29 min
October 02 Cyril Scott (1879-1970)
Donald Macleod explores the life of Cyril Scott.
Music featured:
Lotus Land, Op 47 No 1
Lullaby, Op 57 No 2
Water Wagtail, Op. 71 No. 3
Paradise-Birds (Five Poems, No 5)
Symphony No 1 in G (excerpt)
Etude, Op 4 No 3
Piano Quartet in E minor, Op 16
Three Symphonic Dances, Op 22 (Allegro con brio – Vivace)
Aubade, Op 77
Violin Sonata No 1, Op 59 (excerpt)
Lullaby, Op 57 No 2
Pierrot triste, Op 35 No 1 (Two Pierrot Pieces)
Piano Concerto No 1 (Allegro maestoso)
Soirée japonaise, Op 67 No 4
Piano Trio No 1 (Rondo giocoso)
Ballad of Fair Helen of Kirkonnel, Op 8
Piano Quintet in C, No 1 (excerpt)
Guitar Sonatina (Finale)
Violin Concerto (excerpt)
Spanish Dance
Neptune – poem of the sea (excerpt)
Symphony No 3 (Erato: Muse of Love and Poetry)
Fantasie orientale
Concerto for oboe and string orchestra (excerpt)
Victorian Waltz
Trio in B flat, for clarinet, cello and piano (Rondo capriccioso)
Symphony No 4 (Adagio)
Piano Sonata No 3 (Molto tranquillo)
String Quartet No 2 (excerpt)
Piano Concerto No 2
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 Cyril Scott (1879-1970): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0031pym
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
Produced by Luke Whitlock
1 hr
September 18 Franz Schubert - The Final Years
Kate Molleson explores the last five years of Franz Schubert’s life.
Music featured:
Octet in F, D. 803
Hungarian Melody in B minor, D. 817
Rosamunde, D797
String Quartet No. 13 in A minor, D. 804
Ave Maria, D. 839
Piano Sonata in A minor, D. 845
Symphony No. 9 in C, D. 944
Mass in C, D. 452
Der Graf von Gleichen, D. 918
String Quartet in G, D. 887
Piano Sonata in G, D. 894
Winterreise, D. 911
Ständchen, D. 920
Fantasie in F minor, D. 940
Tantum ergo, D.962
String Quintet in C, D. 956
Piano Sonata in B flat, D. 960
Piano Quintet in A, D. 667
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 Franz Schubert - The Final Years: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00317d0
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
Produced by Luke Whitlock
1 hr 2 min
September 15 Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021)
Donald Macleod reflects back on the life and work of a Titan of Musical Theatre.
1 hr 8 min
August 28 Sally Beamish
Donald Macleod joins Sally Beamish at her home on the south coast of England to celebrate her 70th birthday. Across a lifetime in music, Beamish has combined careers as performer and composer, drawing inspiration from places, people and collaborations along the way. From a musical childhood in post-war London and her early years as a violist, to a transformative move to Scotland and a growing international reputation as a composer, Beamish reflects on the experiences that have shaped her creative life. Folk traditions, landscape, birdsong and long-standing creative relationships all play a part, as she looks back on a remarkable career and ahead to new projects.
Presented by Donald Macleod
Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales
Music featured includes:
April
Crescent
The Wise Maid
Gerropaedie
Partita
The Naming of Birds: III. Carduelis Cannabina, Emberiza Calendra
Seavaigers
Cello Sonata: II. Scherzo-Allegro
Trance
The Day Dawn
Stone, Salt and Sky: Processional
Gala Water
Piobaireachd
The Singing
First Peace
Viola Concerto No. 1
City Stanzas (Piano Concerto No. 3): Burlesque
Bridging the Day
Trinculo
Sally's Tune
Prelude and Canon
Night Songs
Pavan
Caliban
Spinal Chords
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 Sally Beamish: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00309fv
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
1 hr 39 min
August 21 Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Kate Molleson follows Felix Mendelssohn's journeys across Europe, tracing how travel shaped one of the nineteenth century's most gifted musical minds. From a privileged upbringing in Berlin and early encounters with Goethe, through concert tours in Britain and adventures in Scotland and Italy, Mendelssohn absorbed new landscapes, cultures and ideas wherever he went. Alongside artistic inspiration came professional opportunities, influential friendships and the challenge of establishing himself as a composer on his own terms. Returning to Germany after years on the road, he channelled these experiences into some of his most celebrated music while helping to shape the country's musical life through his work in Leipzig.
Presented by Kate Molleson
Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales
Music featured includes:
Symphony No. 4 in A major "Italian", Op. 90
Rondo capriccioso in E major, Op. 14
Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 21
Piano Quartet in F minor, Op. 2: Adagio
Octet in E flat major, Op. 20: Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 11 (1829 London Version): Scherzo
Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, Op. 27
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 11: Allegro di molto
Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten
Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25: I & II
Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 "Scottish": II. Vivace non troppo and IV. Allegro vivacissimo – Allegro maestoso assai
Hebrides Overture, Op. 26
Fantasia in F sharp minor, Op. 28 "Scottish Sonata"
Three Fantasies (or Caprices), Op. 16
Venetian Gondola Song
Ave Maria
Symphony No. 5 in D major "Reformation", Op. 107: IV. Chorale "Ein feste Burg"
Psalm 115, Nicht unserm Namen, Herr, Op. 31
Symphony No. 4 in A major "Italian", Op. 90: III & IV
String Quintet No. 1 in A major, Op. 18: III. Adagio e lento
Songs Without Words, Book I, Op. 19b
Trumpet Overture, Op. 101
Paulus, Op. 36, Part I: "Herr! Der du bist der Gott"
Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64: I. Allegro molto appassionato
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 Felix Mendelssohn: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m003029d
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
1 hr 14 min
August 07 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
Kate Molleson tells Mozart’s story through five of the relationships that shaped the composer and his music - from his friends and family to a mentor and a supposed rival.
Symphony no. 35, K385 ‘Haffner’
Violin Concerto No. 1 in B flat, K207
Concerto for Flute Harp and orchestra in C, K299
Symphony no. 31 D major, K297 'Paris'
Idomeneo
Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K466
Concerto for Two pianos no. 10 in E flat major, K365
Exsultate Jubilate
Symphony No. 29 in A major, K201
Vespers sollennes de confessore in C, K339
Sonata for Piano Four hands in D major, K381
String Quartet no. 20 in D Major, K499 ‘Hoffmeister’
Symphony no. 36, K425 ‘Linz’
String Quartet no. 19 in C major, K465 ‘Dissonance’
Fantasia in C minor, K475
Symphony no. 41 in C Major, K551 'Jupiter'
Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail - Overture
Der Schauspieldirektor, K486: Da Schlägt die Abschiedsstunde
Piano Concerto no. 24 in C minor, K491
Così fan tutte
Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Clarinet concerto in A major, K622
Masonic funeral music in C minor, K477
Trio in E flat for clarinet viola and piano, K498 'Kegelstatt'
The Magic Flute: Overture
The Magic Flute: Finale
Requiem in D minor. K626
Presented by Kate Molleson
Produced by Megan Jones for BBC Wales Audio
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 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002ztsh
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.
1 hr 5 min
July 31 Alice Mary Smith (1839-1884)
Donald Macleod journeys through the life and work of Alice Mary Smith, with guests Ian Graham-Jones and Leanne Langley.
Music featured:
Symphony in C minor
Weep no more!
Rondo: The Vale of Tempe
Lover’s melancholy
The First Snowfall
Out of the Deep (Psalm 130)
Overture ‘Lalla Rookh’
String Quartet ‘Tubal-Cain’
Six Short Pieces
Overture ‘Endymion No 2’
Impromptu in D minor
Overture ‘Vivien’
By the Waters of Babylon
Andante for Clarinet and Orchestra
Melody and Scherzo
O that we two were maying
Queen of love
Symphony in A minor
Overture ‘The Masque of Pandora’
L’ange et l’enfant
Overture ‘Jason, or the Argonauts and the Sirens’
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 Alice Mary Smith: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002z6mr
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
1 hr 3 min

About Composer of the Week Podcast

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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.