Donald Macleod explores the early years in Benjamin Britten's creative story

Benjamin Britten was one of the most influential British composers of the 20th century, with celebrated works such as 'Peter Grimes', 'Friday Afternoons' or 'A Simple Symphony'. Music infused his very first moments in life and he started to develop his musical instincts from a very early age. Many of his future masterpieces can be traced back to the inspiration of his youth. This week, Donald Macleod explores these crucial early years in Britten's creative story, from his birth under the star of St Cecilia to his departure for America at 25 years old.

Music featured:

Hymn to St Cecilia, Op 27

Presented by Donald Macleod

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 Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0027tjp

Curtain-up on the life of 19th-century opera star Giacomo Meyerbeer, with Donald Macleod

With smash hits including 'Robert le diable', 'Les Huguenots' and 'Le Prophète', Giacomo Meyerbeer was one of the most performed composers on the 19th-century stages: (re)discover the celebrated King of Grand Opera, in his own quasi-operatic life of sparkling successes, plot twists and travelling adventures, but also of prejudice and hardship.

Music Featured:

Robert le diable (excerpts)

Presented by Donald Macleod

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 Giacomo Meyerbeer (1791-1864) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0027bqw

Composer of the Week marks 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz with a series commemorating some of the musical voices that were silenced by the atrocities of the Second World War. This week, Donald Macleod focuses on the penultimate destination of these musicians, the Nazi concentration camp at Terezin, and the incredible story of creative resistance in the face of unthinkable adversity and persecution which unfolded there.

Music Featured:

Gideon Klein:

Viktor Ullmann:

Hans Krása:

Pavel Haas:

Ilse Weber: Kleines Wiegenlied

Presented by Donald Macleod

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 Voices of Terezin https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002756y

Donald Macleod delves into the life and music of Imogen Holst

Imogen Holst was a significant part of the British classical music scene during the twentieth century. Daughter of Gustav Holst, Imogen was raised in an artistic environment, and her early aspirations were to be a dancer. However, after studying at the Royal College of Music, Imogen Holst went on to be prominent as a composer, conductor, writer on music, teacher, administrator and artistic director. She also worked as an amanuensis to Benjamin Britten. Throughout this exceptionally busy career, including establishing the Purcell Singers, Imogen Holst continued to compose and wrote many works from choral pieces and folksong arrangements, to concertos and string quartets. Her considerable output as a composer is only just beginning to be appreciated.

Music Featured:

Agnus Dei (Mass in A minor)

Presented by Donald Macleod

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 Imogen Holst (1907-1984) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0026wsv

Donald Macleod delves into the life and music of Michel Legrand

Michel Legrand is best known for creating the soundtracks for over 200 films, including The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, The Thomas Crown Affair and The Go-Between. But he had an insatiable creative spirit that led him into the world of theatre, ballet, opera and more.

Donald is joined by theatre director and composer Jeremy Sams, who recalls collaborating with Legrand on the Broadway musical Amour - and avoiding going to restaurants with him.

Music Featured:

Les Moulins de Mon Coeur

Michel & Melissa at Work

Presented by Donald Macleod

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 Michel Legrand (1932-2019) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0026kjg

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

Donald Macleod explores Vienna in the company of Franz Schubert

Of all Europe’s major cities, perhaps Vienna is the one with the reputation as the most comfortable, the most sophisticated, and the most musical. In fact, has any other city been home to so many great composers as Vienna? Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, and Salieri all spent their best years working there. Yet none of those starry names was born in the city, none were true Viennese. This week, Donald Macleod explores Vienna through the lens of arguably the greatest home grown composer the city has ever produced – Franz Schubert – a man whose short life spanned a crucial period in Austrian history, a time of crisis and much change. In his company we’ll explore Vienna’s churches and theatres, its parks, coffee houses and taverns, and also glimpse the darker side of the city too – the excesses of Europe’s aristocracy and the all seeing eyes of Vienna’s secret police.

Music Featured:

“Kupelwieser” Waltz in G flat Major, D Anh I/14

Presented by Donald Macleod

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 Schubert and Vienna https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0026800

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

Donald Macleod visits the city of Riga to experience the seasonal music and Christmas traditions of Latvia – a country overflowing with choral excellence.

Music Featured:

trad.: Kaladô (arr. J. Vaivods)

Presented by Donald Macleod

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 Christmas in Latvia https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002611k

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

Kate Molleson journeys through the Christmas season in Latin America, introducing the composers who shaped local festivities across centuries and longitudes. From cathedrals to countryside to the deep heat of megacities, we revel in music for worship, friendship, family and fiestas.

Music Featured:

Trad: Esta Noche es Nochebuena

Presented by Kate Molleson

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 A Latin American Christmas https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0025ll7

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

Donald Macleod delves into the life of Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Luise Adolpha Le Beau was a German composer, concert pianist, teacher and music critic. Although her music was performed as far afield as Calcutta and Sydney, her story is one of continual struggle for recognition and respect. Le Beau frequently met opposition to her works and to performance opportunities, Despite these set-backs, Le Beau forged her own path as a composer not only with works for her own instrument, the piano, but also with chamber music, opera, a symphony and many songs. She was determined to succeed, but after her death, without anyone to promote her works on her behalf, Le Beau soon fell into obscurity and was largely forgotten. This week, Donald Macleod is joined by guest Dr Katy Hamilton to shine a light on Le Beau’s music

Music Featured:

Piano Concerto in D minor, Op 37 (excerpt)

Presented by Donald Macleod

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 Donald Macleod delves into the life of Luise Adolpha Le Beau (1850-1927) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0025cfl

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

Kate Molleson explores the life and work of the amazing Bud Powell

This week Kate Molleson explores the life and work of a jazz giant in his centenary year: the amazing Bud Powell, in the company of Powell’s biographer Peter Pullman. Focusing on Bud Powell as a performer, prioritising his own compositions but also appreciating the art of improvisation as spontaneous composition.

Bud Powell was born in 1924 and grew up in Harlem, against the backdrop of the Harlem Renaissance. He was a gifted pianist from a young age and became a pioneer of bebop. But he was a troubled soul and the great paradox of Bud Powell is how there could be such joy and expression in his music while his life was so painful.

Music Featured:

Bouncing with Bud (from The Amazing Bud Powell)

Presented by Kate Molleson

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 Bud Powell (1924-1966) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0024m2z

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