Composer of the Week Podcast

By BBC Radio 3Music

Composer of the Week Podcast episodes

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
July 24 George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Donald Macleod explores the life and music of George Frideric Handel through the patrons, employers and institutions that helped shape his career. From the aristocratic circles of Italy and the court of Hanover to royal favour in Britain and the charitable culture of Dublin, Handel proved adept at navigating the worlds on which composers depended. Yet he remained unusually independent, moving between courts, theatres and concert halls while steadily building a career on his own terms. Along the way, patronage could offer opportunity, security and prestige, but it also brought rivalries, competing loyalties and political complications. Through sacred music, opera, anthem and oratorio, this podcast traces how Handel responded to the people and places that supported his work.
Music featured includes extracts from:
Dixit Dominus, HWV 232
Tu fedel? Tu costante?, HWV 171a: Recitative and aria
Rodrigo, HWV 5: Overture; recitative and aria
Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno, HWV 46a: Overture
Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno, HWV 46a: "Pure del cielo"
La Resurrezione, HWV 47
Eternal Source of Light Divine, HWV 74
Nine German Arias, HWV 202–210: No. 6, "In den angenehmen Büschen"
Rinaldo, HWV 7a: Overture
Silla, HWV 10: Overture
Il pastor fido, HWV 8a: "Sol nel mezzo risona del core"
Water Music Suite No. 2 in D major, HWV 349
Acis and Galatea, HWV 49a: "Love sounds th'alarm"
As Pants the Hart, HWV 251b
Acis and Galatea, HWV 49a: Sinfonia
Esther, HWV 50a
Coronation Anthem: Zadok the Priest, HWV 258
Coronation Anthem: My Heart Is Inditing, HWV 261
Riccardo Primo, HWV 23: Act III Chorus
Atalanta, HWV 35: Overture
Alexander's Feast, HWV 75
Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline, HWV 264
Messiah, HWV 56: Sinfonia
L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: "Sweet Bird"
Imeneo, HWV 41
Messiah, HWV 56: Part III
Foundling Hospital Anthem, HWV 268
Presented by Donald Macleod
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 George Frideric Handel (1685-1759): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002yxkn.
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 16 min
July 10 Fela Sowande and the Art Music of Nigeria
Donald Macleod explores the development of Nigerian art music through the lives and work of some of its most influential composers. Joined by Alexander Douglas, he traces the emergence of a musical tradition shaped by European missionary education, church music and indigenous cultural practices, beginning with Fela Sowande’s pioneering synthesis of Yoruba and Western traditions. From Sowande's early years in Lagos and London to the work of later figures including Ayo Bankole, Akin Euba, Samuel Akpabot and Nkeiru Okoye, the podcast follows a continuing conversation about identity, heritage and musical innovation. Along the way, we hear how generations of composers drew on local traditions while creating new forms of concert music, and how their legacy continues to evolve today.
Fela Sowande: High Life
Joshua Uzoigwe: Talking Drums
Fela Sowande: Go Down Moses
Josiah Ransome-Kuti: Obángíjì Iwo Lo to Sìn
Fela Sowande: African Suite
Fela Sowande: 2 Preludes on Yoruba Sacred Folk Melodies – No. 1 K’A Mura
Fela Sowande: Yoruba Lament
Fela Sowande: Night and Day
Fela Sowande: Sunset
Fela Sowande: Obangiji
Ayo Bankole: Egun Variations in G major
Ayo Bankole: Variations for Little Ayo
Ayo Bankole: Nigerian Suite
Ayo Bankole: Three Yoruba Songs
Ayo Bankole: Ya Orule
Ayo Bankole: Piano Sonata No. 2 in C major “The Passion”
Akin Euba: Three Yoruba Songs Without Words
Akin Euba: Scenes from Traditional Life
Akin Euba: Six Yoruba Folk Songs
Akin Euba: Study in African Jazz 3
Akin Euba: Igba Kerin
Akin Euba: Igba Kinni
Akin Euba: Wakar Duru
Joshua Uzoigwe: Nigerian Dance No. 1
Samuel Akpabot: Scenes from Nigeria – Pastorale
Samuel Akpabot: Three Nigerian Dances
Nkeiru Okoye: African Sketches
Nkeiru Okoye: Breaking Bread
Nkeiru Okoye: Songs of Harriet Tubman – I Am Harriet Tubman, Free Woman
Presented by Donald Macleod with Alexander Douglas
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 Fela Sowande and the Art Music of Nigeria https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002y62n.
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 34 min
July 03 Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)
Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Leonard Bernstein – conductor, composer, educator and one of the most recognisable figures in American cultural life. From his student years at Harvard and the influential friendships that helped launch his career, to his breakthrough as a young conductor and his success on Broadway, Bernstein combined a rare range of talents with a gift for public communication. His story encompasses symphonies and musicals, Hollywood and television, artistic triumphs and professional setbacks. Alongside his achievements ran a complex personal life, shaped by his marriage to Felicia Montealegre, his struggles with identity, and an enduring commitment to political and charitable causes. Through his music, we follow a figure who helped define American music in the twentieth century.
Music featured includes:
West Side Story – America
Divertimento
Anniversaries – I. For Aaron Copland
Serenade after Plato’s Symposium – IV. Agathon
Clarinet Sonata – 2nd movement
Symphony No. 2 "The Age of Anxiety" – Epilogue
On the Town – New York, New York
Symphony No. 1 "Jeremiah"
Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
Fancy Free – Finale
Slava! A Political Overture
Trouble in Tahiti – Prelude
Wonderful Town – Overture; Ballet at the Village Vortex; Wrong Note Rag
Symphonic Suite from On the Waterfront
Prelude, Fugue and Riffs
Facsimile – 1st movement
West Side Story – Overture
Mass – Pax: Communion
Candide Overture
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Suite
Songfest
Four Anniversaries – I. For Felicia Montealegre
A Quiet Place – Postlude
West Side Story – Tonight
Concerto for Orchestra – 3rd and 4th movements
Chichester Psalms
Arias and Barcarolles – Nachtspiel (Postlude)
Presented by Donald Macleod
Produced by Sam Phillips 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 Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002y04k.
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 20 min

About Composer of the Week Podcast

From the publisher's feed

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.