Podcasts by Composer of the Week

A Medieval Christmas from 2023-12-08T13:00

This week, Donald Macleod marks the beginning of the season of Advent by exploring Christmas music and stories from the Middle Ages. Christmas celebrations encompassed a great variety of colourf...

Ned Rorem (1923-2022) from 2023-12-01T13:00

Ned Rorem was an American composer and writer, and was hailed by some as the greatest art-song composer of his time. Writing over 500 songs, his music has been described as Neoromantic, leaning ...

John and Alice Coltrane from 2023-11-17T13:00

Kate Molleson and Kevin Le Gendre dive into the lives and music of John & Alice Coltrane

Coltrane is a name you’re likely to have heard, even if you know little to nothing about jazz. ...

Berlioz and Shakespeare from 2023-11-10T13:00

Donald Macleod surveys the spell Shakespeare cast on Berlioz's life and music

Berlioz burst onto the musical stage of 19th century Paris determined to break the mould of France’s elegant a...

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) from 2023-11-03T13:00

Donald Macleod explores Beethoven’s life through his most iconic works

Beethoven remains one of the most lauded composers in history, famed for both his music, and for his personal triump...

Edouard Lalo (1823-1892) from 2023-10-27T12:00

Donald Macleod surveys the life and music of the elusive French composer, Edouard Lalo

Even if you know the name, it's possible you might not be able to place the French composer Edouard ...

José Maurício Nunes Garcia (1767-1830) from 2023-10-06T12:00

Kate Molleson explore the life and music of Afro-Brazilian composer José Maurício Nunes Garcia

Composer of the Week shines the spotlight on the Afro-Brazilian composer José Maurício Nunes ...

Anniversary Special: A Welsh Quintet from 2023-09-29T12:00

Donald Macleod marks Composer of the Week's 80th anniversary

Composer of the Week has been produced in Cardiff since 1999 so it's fitting that Donald is celebrating Welsh composers in this...

Anniversary Special: A Welsh Quintet live from Cardiff from 2023-09-29T11:59

Donald Macleod celebrates 80 years of "Composer of the Week" with a concert of music by Grace Williams and Hilary Tann, curated by Welsh music historian Rhian Davies, and performed by the BBC Si...

Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643) from 2023-09-22T12:00

Donald Macleod surveys the life of Girolamo Frescobaldi and the musical spectacle of Rome

Girolamo Frescobaldi established the keyboard style that would dominate Europe in the Baroque era....

Carlos Chávez (1899-1978) from 2023-09-15T12:00

Donald Macleod is joined by Odaline de la Martinez to explore the life and music of Carlos Chavez

Carlos Chávez was both a rebel and an educator. Born in a Mexico on the brink of revolutio...

Claude Debussy (1862-1918) from 2022-03-18T13:00

Donald Macleod explores Debussy's life as he approaches his thirties. Donald Macleod explores Debussy's life as he approaches his thirties, a challenging period both personally and musically.One o...

Henriette Bosmans (1895-1952) from 2022-03-11T13:00

Donald Macleod explores Henriëtte Bosmans' rise to fame as both a pianist and a composer. Henriëtte Bosmans seemed destined for a life in music from the moment of her birth, in 1895. Her father wa...

Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936) from 2022-02-25T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the richly evocative musical landscape of Ottorino Respighi This week, we’re invited to explore the richly evocative musical landscape of Ottorino Respighi. The colourful i...

Edward Gregson (b 1945) and Alan Bush (1900-1995) from 2022-02-18T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Edward Gregson and Alan Bush This week, Donald Macleod is in conversation with British composer, Edward Gregson, who offers a fascinating window into h...

Edward Elgar (1857-1934) from 2022-02-04T13:00

Donald Macleod explores Elgar's own belief that he was an outsider from British society Elgar is the composer we turn to in times of national celebration, of pride (Pomp and Circumstance Marches) ...

Marianna Martines (1744-1812) from 2022-01-28T13:00

Donald Macleod lifts the veil on neglected yet prolific composer, Marianna Martines Marianna Martines lived and worked in Vienna alongside some of classical music’s greatest names. She was tutored...

Franz Liszt (1811-1886) from 2022-01-21T13:00

Donald Macleod reflects on Franz Liszt's Hungarian story - he spent little time there and couldn't speak the language but just how important to his music was the land of his birth? Music Featured...

Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687) from 2022-01-14T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Jean-Baptiste Lully Jean-Baptiste Lully was the most influential French composer of the 17th Century, a key figure in the court of Louis XIV. This week...

Errollyn Wallen from 2022-01-07T13:00

Donald Macleod chats to composer Errollyn Wallen about her life and work Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen has been called a “renaissance woman of contemporary music”. She’s a remarkabl...

Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) from 2021-12-31T13:00

Donald Macleod delves into the operas of Giacomo Puccini Giacomo Puccini was man of the theatre to his fingertips. Born in Lucca in 1858, into a distinguished family of church musicians, Puccini w...

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) from 2021-12-17T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Camille Saint-Saëns Camille Saint-Saëns once said “I produce music as an apple tree produces apples.” In his day, that fruit was gobbled up all across...

Mark-Anthony Turnage (b 1960) from 2021-12-10T13:00

Donald Macleod is joined by the composer Mark-Anthony Turnage Mark-Anthony Turnage is a man with a reputation for shaking up the world of British classical music - a composer with a distinctive an...

Emilie Mayer (1812-1883) from 2021-12-03T13:00

Donald Macleod uncovers the story of a forgotten luminary of 19th century music Composer of theWeek explores the remarkable life and music of Emilie Mayer, who was known in her lifetime as the Fem...

Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021) from 2021-12-02T12:45

As part of his 80th birthday celebrations in 2010, Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim looked back over his life and work, with Donald Macleod. The result is a fascinating retrospective of half a cent...

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) from 2021-11-26T13:00

Donald Macleod explores a crucial decade in Sibelius’s life The 1910s were a crucial decade in Sibelius’s life. He would write some of his greatest works during these ten years, including his four...

Carla Bley (b 1936) from 2021-11-19T13:00

Donald Macleod and guest, Kevin Le Gendre follow the jazz adventures of Carla Bley One of the most original voices in jazz, composer, arranger, performer and band-leader Carla Bley has been determ...

Luigi Cherubini (1760-1842) from 2021-11-12T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of composer, Luigi Cherubini An octogenarian when he died in 1842, Cherubini's long life places him alongside three giants of the age, Mozart, Haydn and B...

Sofia Gubaidulina (b 1931) from 2021-11-05T13:00

To mark Sofia Gubaidulina’s 90th birthday, Donald Macleod and Gerard McBurney explore five different aspects of her progressive and distinctive music. Gubaidulina has been living in Germany since 1...

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) from 2021-10-15T12:00

Donald Macleod tries to get to the heart of JS Bach’s character, warts and all. Johann Sebastian Bach, who is now almost universally recognised as one of the giants of classical music, was not alw...

Julius Eastman (1940-1990) from 2021-10-08T12:00

Donald Macleod attempts to unravel the enigmatic, remarkable story of Julius Eastman and his music. When this week’s composer died homeless and alone in 1990, almost no one knew, not even his fri...

Richard Wagner (1813-1883) from 2021-10-01T12:00

Donald Macleod follows Wagner's journey towards building the Bayreuth Festival. This week, Donald Macleod follows Wagner on his decades-long journey to realise his dream of building his own music ...

Béla Bartók (1881-1945) from 2021-09-24T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Béla Bartók. Music Featured:For Children Piano Concerto No 3Contrasts Hungarian SketchesKossuth 14 Bagatelles, Nos 4&5 Piros Alma / Red Apple44 Duos fo...

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) from 2021-09-17T12:00

Donald Macleod explores some of the challenges Telemann faced as he struggled for success Georg Philipp Telemann was one of the most celebrated musicians of the 18th century. In Europe, his fame e...

Sergey Rachmaninov (1873-1943) from 2021-09-10T12:00

Donald Macleod turns his attention to Rachmaninov’s great choral works Rachmaninov has been seen as the last great champion of Russian Late Romanticism. He was a celebrated pianist and conductor, ...

Josquin and Art from 2021-09-03T12:00

Donald Macleod and Andrew Graham-Dixon build a picture of music and art in Josquin's time The humanist Cosimo Bartoli described Josquin as the Michelangelo of Music. A master of polyphonic choral ...

Antonín Dvo?ák (1841-1904) from 2021-08-06T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Antonín Dvo?ák. In an era overloaded with brooding and overwrought, Romantic sensibilities, Antonín Dvo?ák’s music shone with grace and joy and humanit...

Jennifer Higdon (born 1962) from 2021-07-30T12:00

Donald Macleod in conversation with award winning American composer Jennifer Higdon. If you were to ask Jennifer Higdon what her biggest musical influence might be, she’s more likely to cite Lenno...

Manuel de Falla (1876-1946) from 2021-07-16T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Manuel de Falla Manuel de Falla was not well suited to the role of national musical icon. He was at his happiest, living a simple, monkish existence in...

Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) from 2021-07-09T12:00

Donald Macleod pulls back the curtain on Berlioz’s greatest obsession Donald Macleod explores the women who shaped Hector Berlioz’s life and workHector Berlioz was one the most innovative and rebe...

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) from 2021-07-02T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the musical life of Benjamin BrittenMusic Featured: Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge (Nos 7&8) Phantasy QuartetNocturne (On This Island) Ballad of Heroes (2nd mvt)Suit...

Henry Purcell (1659-1695) from 2021-06-25T12:00

This week, Donald Macleod explores Purcell’s work during his short life in the context of the turbulent times in which he lived. This was a period of intense political and social change, encompassi...

Pauline Viardot and her Circle from 2021-06-18T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of the 19th-century French singer, pianist, composer and influential society figure, Pauline Viardot. “When I want to do something, I do it in spite of ...

Robert Simpson (1921-97) from 2021-06-04T12:00

Robert Simpson - once described as "Britain's most important composer since Vaughan Williams", and "one of the century's most powerful and original symphonists" - was a man of integrity, a champion...

Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) from 2021-05-21T12:00

Donald Macleod explores some of the many turning points in Fauré’s career Gabriel Fauré’s story begins during the second half of the 19th century, when the musical world was dominated bythe heavil...

Robert Schumann (1810-1856) from 2021-05-14T12:00

Robert Schumann’s early training was focused towards his ambition to become a celebrated concert pianist, but a hand injury quickly put that career option out of reach. Schumann turned instead to c...

Aaron Copland (1900-1990) from 2021-05-07T12:00

This week, Donald Macleod explores Aaron Copland’s most productive decade, and features some of his best loved works in full. During this time Copland hit his prime. He became recognised as America...

Erik Satie (1866-1925) from 2021-04-30T12:00

Donald Macleod explores five aspects of Satie This week, Donald Macleod looks at Satie as a trailblazer and humourist as well as his penchant for composing in threes, his copious, playful and hig...

Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849) from 2021-04-23T12:00

Donald Macleod explores Chopin’s time in Britain Chopin made just two trips to Britain, both in later life. These visits are often portrayed as a disaster - a calamitous mistake of no worth to Cho...

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) from 2021-03-26T13:00

Maurice Ravel is one of France’s most enigmatic, original and beloved composers. While less prolific than some of his contemporaries, Ravel was a master of detail - his works are elegant and exquis...

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) from 2021-03-19T13:00

This week, Donald Macleod looks at Handel’s life and work during an important decade of his life. The 1730s saw Handel create some of his best-loved works, but also saw him fall out with singers an...

Ruth Gipps (1921-1999) from 2021-03-12T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of the English composer Ruth Gipps. Ruth Gipps was born in Bexhill-on-Sea in 1921. Her Swiss-born mother was an accomplished pianist and, recognising her...

Richard Strauss (1864-1949) from 2021-03-05T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of the young Richard Strauss During Richard Strauss’s lifetime the sound and form of music altered radically. He was born at the tail end of the 19th ce...

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) from 2021-02-26T13:00

Felix Mendelssohn was one of the most gifted and versatile musicians the world has ever seen. As a child prodigy he was likened to Mozart and he grew to become one of the most famous and beloved co...

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) from 2021-02-19T13:00

Donald Macleod finds connections between Mozart’s operas and the composer’s own life Born in 1756, the theatre was a life-long passion for Mozart. Starting at the tender age of just 11, in the spa...

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) from 2021-02-12T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Ralph Vaughan Williams Ralph Vaughan Williams is one of Britain’s most loved composers, and best-known symphonists, writing nine symphonies which span...

Franz Schubert (1797-1828) from 2021-02-05T13:00

Franz Schubert’s short life spanned a crucial period in music history as the elegant, classical stylings of Mozart and Haydn were giving way to the drama and passion of the romantic era. Schubert c...

Verdi 200 from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Donald Macleod explores Verdi's later life and music when, after years of honing his craft, he propelled opera from the world of the 19th century into the modern age

British Film Music from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Donald Macleod is joined by writer and film music expert John Huckvale to explore British film music. Covering over eight decades, their focus embraces Ealing comedy, Hammer horror, jazz and rock

Golden Age of Hollywood from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

"Sound of Cinema" continues as Donald Macleod explores the soundtrack of The Golden Age of Hollywood, in the company of conductor and film music expert, John Wilson.

Gluck from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Christoph Willibald Gluck, seen as having 'reformed' opera in the second half of the 18th century, rescuing it from the excesses of the opera seria style

200 Years of the Royal Philharmonic Society from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Donald Macleod recalls the story of the Royal Philharmonic Society - and the remarkable roll-call of commissions and world premieres given by the Society during its two centuries of existence

Robert Schumann from 2021-01-31T22:10:42.023393

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Robert Schumann, who drew his inspiration as much from literature and the dramas of his own life as from the music of the composers he revered

Joseph Martin Kraus (1756-1792) from 2021-01-29T13:00

In a first for Composer of the Week, Donald Macleod surveys the life and music of Joseph Martin Kraus. Kraus has been called the Swedish Mozart; he was born in the same year as Mozart, in 1756, and...

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) from 2021-01-22T13:00

This week Donald Macleod reflects on five aspects of Tchaikovsky. The rich vein of fairy tale and fantasy, his love of literature and his long-standing love-affair with Italy. Also, the composer’s ...

Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) from 2021-01-01T13:00

Donald Macleod explores Grieg's music through the places from which he took inspiration. On 9th September 1907, it’s estimated that some forty to fifty thousand people turned out to pay their resp...

Beethoven Unleashed: In Perspective from 2020-12-18T13:00

Donald Macleod introduces personal highlights of his year-long celebration of Beethoven Donald Macleod embarks on the final week of his year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth ...

George Benjamin (b 1960) from 2020-12-11T13:00

Donald Macleod is joined by Sir George Benjamin to discuss his musical influences Composer of the Week marks the sixtieth birthday of the celebrated British composer Sir George Benjamin. This week...

Beethoven Unleashed: Pain and Persistence from 2020-12-04T13:00

This week, Donald Macleod reaches the final chapters of his year-long biography of Beethoven. The composer’s remaining years, 1825-1827, were marred by failing health and a traumatic family crisis ...

Beethoven Unleashed: Freedom and Joy from 2020-11-20T13:00

Conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner, joins Donald Mcleod to discuss Beethoven’s symphonies They have been described as “the most sublime noise that has ever penetrated into the ear of man”, “an expr...

James Price Johnson from 2020-11-13T13:00

James P. Johnson is known as the Father of Stride Piano, and composed the most iconic work that captures the essence of the Roaring Twenties, the Charleston. Both pianist and composer, he not only ...

Beethoven Unleashed: Titan from 2020-11-06T13:00

This week, Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven’s life through the years of 1822-1824 – a period during which the composer completed his greatest late masterpieces. It was also a time at wh...

Desmarets and Boismortier from 2020-10-30T13:00

Donald Macleod steps into the French baroque with Desmarets and Boismortier Donald Macleod discovers the stories of two very colourful figures of the French baroque, Henri Desmarets and Joseph Bod...

Beethoven Unleashed: Piano Sonatas from 2020-10-23T12:00

This week, the world-renowned pianist Angela Hewitt chooses five contrasting aspects of the piano sonatas to discuss with Donald Macleod. In 2020, Hewitt reaches the end of her survey of Beethoven’...

Kaija Saariaho (b 1952) from 2020-10-16T12:00

“Music is a study of my own self and of the human spirit”, so says the Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho. Her passion for music is all consuming, with the inspiration to compose reflecting the breadt...

Beethoven Unleashed: Withdrawal from 2020-10-09T12:00

This week, Donald Macleod follows Ludwig van Beethoven through the years of 1816-1821; a period when the composer was groping towards yet another extraordinary and revolutionary flowering of his cr...

Beethoven Unleashed: Spirit of the Age from 2020-09-25T12:00

Donald Macleod is joined by five guests to explore Beethoven’s wider world. Beethoven’s lifetime was one of tumultuous change. In a week of programmes exploring this wider world around Beethoven,...

Beethoven Unleashed: Phoenix Rising from 2020-09-11T12:00

Donald Macleod explores Beethoven's life and music through the years 1813-1815. This week, Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven’s life through the years of 1813-1815 – a time of great chan...

Marie Jaëll from 2020-09-04T12:00

Donald Macleod delves into the life and career of the piano prodigy Marie Jaëll. For the first time in the history of Composer of the Week, Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Marie Jaël...

Beethoven Unleashed: How to Play Beethoven from 2020-08-28T12:00

Donald Macleod meets professional musicians to get the performer’s eye view of Beethoven. During Beethoven’s life, great technical advances were being made to musical instruments such as the keybo...

Beethoven Unleashed: Creating the Myth from 2020-08-24T12:00

Donald Macleod follows Beethoven through the years 1810-1812. This week, Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven’s life through 1810-1812, a period of great financial hardship for all of Vie...

Beethoven Unleashed: In His Own Words from 2020-07-31T12:18

Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven's varied and rich correspondence. More than 1,770 of Beethoven's letters still survive and, this week, Donald Macleod delves into five different areas ...

Beethoven Unleashed: Restless Spirit from 2020-07-17T12:00

Donald Macleod follows Ludwig van Beethoven through the years 1807-1809. This week, Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven’s life through the years of 1807-1809. This was a period which ende...

Holmes and Duparc from 2020-07-10T12:00

Donald Macleod and Anastasia Belina explore the lives and music of Augusta Holmès and Henri Duparc. Imagine creating a grand spectacle that demands 1,200 performers, along with the most lavish set...

Beethoven Unleashed: Private Papers from 2020-07-03T12:02

Donald Macleod explores Beethoven’s sketches and letters to see what they reveal about his life and music. This week Donald Macleod is joined by Beethoven scholar, Erica Buurman and biographer, Ja...

Beethoven Unleashed: Hero from 2020-06-19T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the triumphs, friends and foes of Beethoven’s ‘heroic’ phase. This week, Donald Macleod follows Ludwig van Beethoven through the years of 1804-1806; the beginning of what m...

Beethoven Unleashed: Return to Form from 2020-06-05T12:08

Donald Macleod explores the enduring power, pathos and innovation of Beethoven’s late string quartets with guests Laura Tunbridge and Edward Dusinberre. Just two years before he died, Beethoven re...

Beethoven Unleashed: New Pathways from 2020-05-22T12:00

Donald Macleod continues his journey through the life of Ludwig van Beethoven. In this week’s episode, Donald Macleod traces Beethoven’s story through the momentous years of 1802 and 1803. It was ...

Beethoven Unleashed: Beethoven and the Voice from 2020-05-08T12:00

Donald Macleod explores Beethoven’s vocal music with Iain Burnside and Simone Young.In this week’s episode, Donald Macleod and his guests discuss some personal favourites from Beethoven's vocal mus...

Beethoven Unleashed: Fate from 2020-04-24T12:00

Donald Macleod continues his journey through the life of Ludwig van Beethoven. In this week’s episode, Donald Macleod traces Beethoven’s story through the years 1799-1801. As he reaches his thirt...

Beethoven Unleashed: At the Keyboard from 2020-04-10T12:00

Pianist Jonathan Biss shares the wonder of Beethoven's piano sonatas with Donald Macleod. Recorded at the piano, in the Angela Burgess Recital Hall at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Jonath...

Beethoven Unleashed: The Drawing Room Demon from 2020-03-27T13:00

Donald Macleod follows Beethoven’s progress as he seeks out wealthy Viennese patrons for his music. This week, Donald Macleod follows Beethoven through the years 1796-99, as the young composer le...

Beethoven Unleashed: At Home from 2020-03-13T13:00

Donald Macleod and Erica Buurman examine some of Beethoven’s personal possessions at the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn. This week, Donald Macleod takes us to Beethoven’s home town of Bonn and the Beethov...

Florence Price from 2020-03-06T13:00

Donald Macleod uncovers the story and prolific output of American composer Florence Price. Florence Price became a highly successful classical composer, organist, pianist and teacher of music duri...

Ludwig van Beethoven: Making His Way from 2020-02-28T13:00

Donald Macleod follows Beethoven as he sets himself up in his new home of Vienna. All through 2020, Donald Macleod takes an unprecedented deep dive into the compelling story and extraordinary mus...

Claudio Monteverdi from 2020-02-21T13:00

Donald Macleod looks at five themes in Claudio Monteverdi's life through the letters he wrote. Claudio Monteverdi’s compositions range from the secular to the sacred. He is a composer whose work s...

Ludwig van Beethoven: Conversations with Friends from 2020-02-14T13:00

Donald Macleod is joined by Raphael Wallfisch and Sara Bitlloch to discuss Beethoven’s early chamber music. All through 2020, Donald Macleod takes an unprecedented deep dive into the compelling st...

Samuel Wesley from 2020-02-07T13:00

Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of Samuel Wesley. Samuel Wesley was a child prodigy, and it was the older composer William Boyce who said of the boy that he was the English Mozart, a...

Ludwig van Beethoven: Making a Man from 2020-01-31T13:00

Donald Macleod looks for clues in Beethoven’s early life that point towards the great man he would become. All through 2020, Donald Macleod takes an unprecedented deep dive into the compelling sto...

Karol Szymanowski from 2020-01-24T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the myriad influences on the life’s work of Karol Szymanowski. The reshaping of Europe at the end of the First World War had a defining effect on Polish composer Karol Szym...

Ludwig van Beethoven: Why Beethoven? from 2020-01-17T13:00

Donald Macleod asks conductor Marin Alsop and historian Simon Schama why Beethoven's life and work still matter today. All through 2020, as part of Radio 3's Beethoven Unleashed season, Donald Mac...

George Walker from 2020-01-10T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of George Walker, in conversation with his son Gregory. When Rosa King Walker announced to her five-year-old son George that, like it or not, he was goi...

Arcangelo Corelli from 2019-12-27T13:00

Donald Macleod delves into the international successes of Arcangelo Corelli. Arcangelo Corelli was something of a European phenomenon not only during his lifetime, but also after his death.His com...

Percy Grainger from 2019-12-13T13:00

Donald Macleod surveys the life, music and quirks of Australian composer, Percy Grainger Donald Macleod begins this week episode about Percy Grainger by tracing the composer's ambivalent relations...

Leoš Janá?ek from 2019-12-06T13:00

Donald Macleod illustrates Leos Janacek’s inner tensions through five key relationships One of the most original voices of the twentieth century, Leoš Janá?ek was a composer, musical theorist, fol...

Mary Lou Williams from 2019-11-22T13:01

Donald Macleod charts the extraordinary life of composer and jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams Mary Lou Williams’ music stands out from the crowd because, as Duke Ellington recognised, “her writing a...

Malcolm Arnold from 2019-11-15T13:00

Donald Macleod journeys through some of the contrasting sides of Sir Malcolm Arnold and his music Sir Malcolm Arnold was a prolific composer, writing music in many different genres ranging from ni...

Antonín Dvo?ák from 2019-11-07T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life, music and perseverance of Antonín Dvo?ák. Antonín Dvo?ák was no spring chicken when he found success as a composer. He was in his early thirties before he made hi...

Harrison Birtwistle from 2019-11-01T13:00

Donald Macleod talks to Sir Harrison Birtwistle about his life, inspiration and music. This week Donald Macleod meets Sir Harrison Birtwistle, described as “the most forceful and uncompromisingly ...

Muzio Clementi from 2019-10-18T12:00

Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of piano prodigy Muzio Clementi. Muzio Clementi was one of the 18th and 19th century’s most revered musicians – a star performer, a composer admired by...

Sergei Prokofiev from 2019-10-11T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the music of Sergei Prokofiev and tells the story of his American dream. After a series of revolutions in his native Russia, the young composer Sergei Prokofiev made the de...

Gustav Mahler from 2019-09-27T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the music and life of Gustav Mahler through five key themes. This week’s episode begins with an exploration of love - a potent force in Mahler’s creative armoury, but, fo...

Henry Purcell from 2019-09-20T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the music and life of Henry Purcell. Frustratingly little is known about the tragically abbreviated life of the composer who is arguably Britain’s greatest, Henry Purcell....

Franz Schubert from 2019-09-06T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Franz Schubert. It’s hard to think of a composer more gregarious than Schubert, and further removed from the image of the reclusive genius, closeted a...

Guillaume Dufay from 2019-08-30T12:00

Donald Macleod is joined by William Lyons to explore Guillaume Dufay's life and music. The beauty, originality and technical mastery of Guillaume Dufay’s music illustrate why the Florentine ruler ...

Edward Elgar from 2019-08-02T12:00

Donald Macleod explores Edward Elgar’s music through the locations that inspired him. Worcester-born, with his roots in the beautiful English countryside around Hereford and the Malverns yet drawn...

Antonio Vivaldi from 2019-07-26T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Antonio Vivaldi. As a virtuoso violinist, as a teacher, as a priest and as a prolific composer, Antonio Vivaldi was a key figure in Baroque Italy and ...

James MacMillan from 2019-07-19T12:00

Donald Macleod talks to composer James MacMillan as he celebrates his 60th birthday One of the UK’s most prolific living composers, James MacMillan was born on the 16th of July 1959 in Ayrshire. H...

Carl Nielsen from 2019-07-12T12:00

Donald Macleod explores Carl Nielsen’s worldview through his music. You’ll find a clue as to Carl Nielsen’s character in any number of photographs that show him smiling; they include snaps of him...

Fryderyk Chopin from 2019-06-28T12:00

Donald Macleod explores “the poet of the piano”, Fryderyk Chopin. Donald starts this week’s episode with a look at how Chopin’s Polish heritage shaped his music. Although he left the country at t...

Jacques Offenbach from 2019-06-21T12:00

Donald Macleod on Jacques Offenbach - maestro of the Cancan and much more besides. Today’s episode we meet Offenbach on the brink of defeat – when he decides to launch his own theatre company, ‘L...

England's Golden Age from 2019-06-07T12:00

Donald Macleod introduces six composers who flourished under the rule of Elizabeth I. The composers of 16th century England flourished under the rule of Elizabeth I, rapidly developing a diverse m...

Dmitry Shostakovich from 2019-05-24T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the music of Dmitry Shostakovich through the lens of his family life. In this week’s episode, Donald introduces us to Shostakovich - the family man. Turning his attention t...

Igor Stravinsky from 2019-05-10T12:00

Donald Macleod surveys the life and music of Russian-born composer Igor Stravinsky. In this week’s episode, Donald explores the composer who is said, in his music, to have ushered in the 20th cent...

Amy Beach from 2019-05-03T12:00

Donald Macleod follows Amy Beach’s quest to create a uniquely American sound in her music. Amy Beach was born in the 19th century and, like all women composers of her generation, she found her pat...

Handel, Messiah and Dublin from 2019-04-26T12:00

Donald Macleod tells the real story behind one of the most popular masterpieces ever composed. In 1741 Handel packed his bags and left London for Dublin, where he spent nearly nine months writing...

Alban Berg from 2019-04-19T12:00

Donald Macleod surveys the life, loves and music of Alban Berg. As a youngster, Berg loved the music of Brahms, Mahler and Richard Strauss and composed 34 songs as a teenager. Maybe this would ha...

Francis Poulenc from 2019-04-05T12:00

Donald Macleod surveys the life and work of Francis Poulenc, a man full of contradictions This week Donald Macleod explores five aspects of Poulenc’s personality and how they find expression in hi...

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber from 2019-03-28T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the music, and what little is known of the life, of Baroque master Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber. Biber’s first appearance in the historical records is in his early 20s, w...

Astor Piazzolla from 2019-03-22T15:25

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of the bandoneon virtuoso and composer Astor Piazzolla, through five key locations. All his life he fought against the tide, and in the end, he was the v...

Hector Berlioz from 2019-03-15T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Hector Berlioz Berlioz is perhaps unique among composers in having had a literary gift almost the equal of his musical one. He earned his bread-and-bu...

Debbie Wiseman from 2019-03-08T13:00

Donald Macleod visits Debbie Wiseman at home to discuss her long and varied career. Debbie Wiseman has over two hundred credits for her music, ranging from television and film, to the concert hall...

Johann Sebastian Bach from 2019-02-22T13:00

Donald Macleod travels alongside J S Bach as he moves from place to place throughout his life. Donald begins with Bach’s early years in the towns of Eisenach and Ohrdruf, where his excellence as a...

Max Bruch from 2019-02-15T13:00

Donald Macleod explores Max Bruch’s violin works. Melody, said Bruch, represents the “soul of music” and nowhere is that better represented than in his famous violin concerto. It’s a work which br...

William Grant Still from 2019-02-08T12:59

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of African-American composer William Grant Still (1895-1978). This week Composer of the Week looks at Still’s transformative period of study with mentor...

Michael Tippett from 2019-02-01T13:00

Donald Macleod and Oliver Soden look at Michael Tippett through his intense personal relationships. Michael Tippett was a particularly absorbent composer, soaking up an incredibly wide range of in...

Franz Liszt from 2019-01-25T13:00

Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of Franz Liszt through five striking images. Franz Liszt was the most photographed man of the 19th century and the most sculpted man aside from Napoleo...

Jean-Philippe Rameau from 2019-01-18T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the operas of Jean-Phillipe Rameau. At his death in 1764, Rameau, by then an octogenarian, had more than 30 stage works to his credit. It’s a remarkable achievement when yo...

Felix Mendelssohn from 2019-01-11T13:00

Donald Macleod journeys through the life of Felix Mendelssohn. Mendelssohn was a leading figure of German music in his day, and became something of an international celebrity. He was at the very f...

George Gershwin from 2019-01-04T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of George Gershwin. When a second-hand piano was hoisted through the window of the Gershwin family’s Lower East Side apartment, a window was quite litera...

Heinrich Schütz from 2018-12-28T13:00

Donald Macleod journeys through Christmas week in the company of Heinrich Schütz. Donald begins by dipping a toe into the fertile archival territory of Schütz’s own writings, a fascinating window ...

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov from 2018-12-21T13:00

Donald Macleod surveys the life and work of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Rimsky-Korsakov’s music is filled with lush orchestration and hints of orientalism and folk music. These elements and his role a...

Camille Saint-Saëns from 2018-12-07T13:00

Donald Macleod delves into the character and music of Camille Saint-Saëns This week’s episode begins with a look at Saint-Saëns the innovator, who introduced new-fangled ideas to an opera-loving P...

Billy Strayhorn from 2018-11-23T13:00

Donald Macleod looks at five key environments that shaped Billy Strayhorn's personal and musical trajectory. Donald starts the journey in Homewood, Pittsburgh, where Billy Strayhorn’s early life w...

Gioachino Rossini from 2018-11-16T13:00

Donald Macleod presents five takes on the life and music of Gioachino Rossini. Donald starts by unpacking the winning formula Rossini hit on right at the start of his operatic career. Aged 18, Ros...

François Couperin from 2018-11-09T13:00

Donald Macleod marks 350 years since the birth of François Couperin, one of France’s most dazzling musical talents. Donald begins by leading us through a gallery of the musical portraits that Coup...

Anton Bruckner from 2018-11-02T13:00

Donald Macleod explores five personality traits of the strange genius Anton Bruckner. Donald starts with Bruckner’s obsessive tendencies – from bar-counting to full-blown ‘numeromania’ which lande...

Dora Peja?evi? from 2018-10-26T12:00

Donald Macleod introduces a first in Composer of the Week’s seventy-year history, the Croatian Countess Dora Peja?evi?. Donald is joined by Professor Koraljka Kos and Professor Iskra Iveljic to d...

Hubert Parry from 2018-10-12T12:00

Marking the centenary of his death, Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Hubert Parry. Donald begins with the story of Parry's early years, rooted at Highnam Court in Gloucestershire, befo...

Thea Musgrave from 2018-10-05T12:00

Donald Macleod is in conversation with Thea Musgrave as she celebrates her 90th birthday. Donald and Thea begin by discussing her dream of becoming a composer, and the dreams that have inspired he...

Sergei Rachmaninov from 2018-09-28T12:00

Donald Macleod explores Sergei Rachmaninov’s years in America. Reluctant even to visit at first, and once there always more than a little homesick, this proudly Russian composer in fact lived in t...

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky from 2018-09-14T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the conflicted relationships and mysteries in the life of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Donald begins this week’s episode by looking at Tchaikovsky’s early years as a civil s...

Ernest Chausson from 2018-09-07T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the friendships, influences and struggles in the life and work of Ernest Chausson. Amédée-Ernest Chausson grew up in Paris during a period of great political, social and ec...

Leonard Bernstein from 2018-08-24T12:00

Donald Macleod is joined by Bernstein protegée, conductor Marin Alsop, to look back at Bernstein’s hectic life as composer, pianist, thinker and entertainer. There are no neutrals when it comes ...

Alfred Schnittke from 2018-08-03T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the strange, brilliant and occasionally nightmarish world of the Soviet composer Alfred Schnittke. The music of Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998) is like being lost in a hall...

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart from 2018-07-27T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of undisputed master, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Josquin des Prez from 2018-07-20T12:00

Donald Macleod and Jeremy Summerly discuss elusive Renaissance master, Josquin des Prez.

Ralph Vaughan Williams from 2018-07-13T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams

Luciano Berio from 2018-07-06T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Italian experimental composer, Luciano Berio

Carl Maria von Weber from 2018-06-22T12:00

Donald Macleod examines the life and work of German composer Carl Maria von Weber

Charles Gounod from 2018-06-15T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of French composer Charles Gounod

Giovanni Gabrieli from 2018-06-01T12:00

Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of Giovanni Gabrieli

Maurice Ravel from 2018-05-25T12:30

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of French composer Maurice Ravel.

Johannes Brahms from 2018-05-18T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the lifelong friendship between Brahms and the great violin virtuoso Joseph Joachim - and the music of genius that resulted

Lili Boulanger from 2018-05-11T13:16

Donald Macleod explores the life of Lili Boulanger, the first female winner of France's most prestigious composition competition, the Prix de Rome

Aaron Copland from 2018-05-04T13:28

Aaron Copland is the composer who, more than any other, defined the sound of American classical music. Copland's life spanned every decade of the 20th Century, and this week Donald Macleod explores...

Giuseppe Verdi from 2018-04-20T12:00

Donald Macleod pieces together the truths as he traces Verdi's life and music.

Johann Pachelbel from 2018-04-13T11:05

Donald Macleod unravels the rich musical legacy of a composer known almost exclusively for one iconic work: the "Canon in D".

Carlo Gesualdo from 2018-03-30T10:50

Donald Macleod looks at the life and music of Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa, notorious for the murder of his first wife and cousin, Maria d'Avalos.

Claude Debussy from 2018-03-23T13:03

Donald Macleod looks at the development of Debussy's career against his personal life

Joseph Haydn from 2018-03-16T11:50

Donald Macleod explores a hugely successful episode in Haydn's life, his London years.

Rachel Portman from 2018-03-09T11:50

Donald Macleod joins the Oscar winning film composer Rachel Portman in her studio in London, to chat about her life and music for film and the concert platform.

Richard Strauss from 2018-03-02T13:00

Donald Macleod introduces the life and music of the German composer and conductor, Richard Strauss.

John Dowland from 2018-02-23T15:40

Donald Macleod introduces John Dowland, and those influenced by his exquisite melodies.

Jean Sibelius from 2018-02-16T13:00

Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of the man who is almost universally recognised as Finland's greatest ever composer – Jean Sibelius.

Toru Takemitsu from 2018-02-09T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of the Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu.

Lutoslawski from 2018-01-26T13:29

Donald Macleod is joined by Dr Nicholas Reyland to explore Witold Lutoslawski's life

Beethoven from 2018-01-19T14:24

Donald Macleod explores Beethoven the pianist and composer for the piano.

J S Bach from 2017-12-22T11:50

Donald Macleod traces J S Bach's early life from Eisenach through to his first marriage.

Tchaikovsky from 2017-12-15T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the rich vein of fairy tale and fantasy in Tchaikovsky's music

21st Century Opera from 2017-12-08T11:53

Paul Griffiths joins Donald Macleod to give opera a health check in the 21st century.

Thelonious Monk from 2017-11-24T11:50

Donald Macleod and Brian Priestley celebrate the centenary of jazz legend Thelonious Monk

Breaking Free: A Century of Russian Culture: Soviet Russia (1953-1991) from 2017-11-17T11:50

Donald and Marina Frolova-Walker look at the lives and masterpieces of the musicians.

Breaking Free: A Century of Russian Culture: Soviet Russia (1917-1953) from 2017-11-10T11:50

Donald and Marina Frolova-Walker look at the lives and masterpieces of the musicians.

Puccini from 2017-10-20T10:50

Donald Macleod and Sir Antonio Pappano trace the developmental line of Puccini's heroines

Vivaldi's operas from 2017-10-13T10:50

A look behind the curtain and onto the stage to explore the world of Vivaldi's operas

Mussorgsky from 2017-09-29T10:50

Donald Macleod explores Mussorgsky's music, with the spotlight on his songs

Alexander Goehr - Part 2 from 2017-09-15T10:51

Donald Macleod in conversation with composer Alexander Goehr at his home near Cambridge

Alexander Goehr - Part 1 from 2017-09-15T10:50

Donald Macleod in conversation with composer Alexander Goehr at his home near Cambridge

Grieg from 2017-08-11T10:50

Donald Macleod looks at the multi-talented Norwegian composer, pianist and conductor

Birth of Polyphony from 2017-08-04T10:50

Donald Macleod takes a close look at the change from pure monophony to complex polyphony.

Mathias from 2017-07-28T10:50

Donald Macleod explores Mathias's student days in Aberystwyth and London

Messiaen from 2017-07-14T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the organ music of Olivier Messiaen.

Charpentier from 2017-07-07T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the music of Marc-Antoine Charpentier.

Mahler from 2017-06-30T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the relationship between Gustav and Alma Mahler

Bizet from 2017-06-16T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Georges Bizet

Rebecca Clarke from 2017-06-02T10:50

Donald Macleod looks at life of Rebecca Clarke with Christopher Johnson and Ian Jones.

Monteverdi from 2017-05-19T10:52

Donald Macleod recounts Monteverdi's rise from humble beginnings in Cremona.

Praetorius from 2017-05-05T10:50

Donald Macleod focuses on Praetorius's final years and works.

LeFanu from 2017-04-28T10:50

British composer Nicola LeFanu discusses her life and music with Donald Macleod.

Joplin from 2017-04-07T10:50

Donald Macleod looks at the African-American composer Scott Joplin.

Zemlinsky from 2017-03-24T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Alexander Zemlinsky

Maxwell Davies from 2017-03-17T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Peter Maxwell Davies.

The Women of Renaissance Ferrara from 2017-03-10T11:50

Donald with Laurie Stras explore the work of the female composers of Renaissance Ferrara.

Gade from 2017-02-24T11:50

Donald Macleod is joined by Dr Colin Roth to explore the life and work of Niels Gade.

Ravel from 2017-02-17T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the enigmatic personality and vibrant music of Maurice Ravel.

Mackenzie from 2017-02-10T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Alexander Mackenzie.

Britten from 2017-02-03T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the music of Benjamin Britten's formative years.

Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges from 2017-01-20T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges.

Schoenberg from 2017-01-06T11:50

Donald Macleod explores Schoenberg's life from five different viewpoints

Novello from 2016-12-30T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Ivor Novello.

Prokofiev from 2016-12-23T11:50

Donald Macleod explores Prokofiev's triumphant and ultimately tragic return to the USSR.

Caccini from 2016-12-16T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Francesca Caccini and her circle.

Faure from 2016-11-25T11:50

Donald Macleod follows the dramatic thread running through Gabriel Faure's musical output

Meredith Monk from 2016-11-04T11:50

Donald Macleod talks to Meredith Monk about her remarkable life and unique music

Michael Haydn from 2016-10-28T10:50

Michael Haydn. He was a composer admired and respected by Mozart and revered by Schubert

Martinu from 2016-10-14T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Bohuslav Martinu.

Daniel Kidane from 2016-10-07T15:47

Donald is in conversation with Composer Daniel Kidane .

Anna Meredith from 2016-10-07T11:29

Donald Macleod talks to acoustic and electronic music composer Anna Meredith.

Helen Grime from 2016-10-06T11:40

Donald Macleod speaks to British composer Helen Grime about her work.

Gwilym Simcock from 2016-10-04T15:35

Donald's joined by composer and jazz pianist Gwilym Simcock .

Anoushka Shankar from 2016-10-04T11:18

Donald is joined by composer and sitar player Anoushka Shankar.

Oliver Knussen from 2016-10-03T16:26

Donald Macleod invites composer Oliver Knussen to join him to discuss his life and career

Rubbra from 2016-09-23T10:50

Donald is joined by Edmund Rubbra's sons Benedict and Adrian, who discuss their father and his music

Rimsky-Korsakov from 2016-09-16T10:50

Donald Macleod explores Rimsky-Korsakov's final years through the lens of his biographer, Vasily Vasilyevitch Yastrebtsev

Mendelssohn from 2016-08-26T17:30

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of composers.

Janacek from 2016-08-19T10:50

Donald looks at Janacek's life through his instrumental and small-scale compositions.

Villa Lobos from 2016-08-12T10:50

Donald explores the music and life of Villa-Lobos with musicologist Manoel Correa do Lago

Butterworth from 2016-08-05T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the music of George Butterworth and four of his contemporaries

Brahms from 2016-07-29T10:50

Looking at the life and work of Johannes Brahms and some of his larger orchestral works

Bernard Stevens from 2016-07-08T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of neglected British composer Bernard Stevens

Stravinsky and the Symphony from 2016-07-01T10:50

Donald Macleod explores Igor Stravinsky's life through his symphonies.

Johann Strauss I and II from 2016-06-17T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the lives of and music of Johann Strauss I and his son, Johann

Gershwin from 2016-06-03T10:50

Donald explores the colourful life and music of George Gershwin, a pianist and composer.

Clara Schumann and Her Circle from 2016-05-27T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the lives and music of Clara Schumann and the extraordinary circle of composers and musicians she moved in

Satie from 2016-05-20T10:50

Satie the Onion: his surreal life viewed in reverse.

Dussek from 2016-05-13T10:50

Donald Macleod explores Dussek’s early years traveling through Europe.

Byrd from 2016-04-22T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of William Byrd.

Sterndale Bennett from 2016-04-15T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of William Sterndale Bennett.

Vaughan Williams from 2016-04-08T10:50

Donald Macleod charts the long life and career of Vaughan Williams.

Telemann from 2016-04-01T10:52

Donald Macleod explores who the real Telemann was.

Granados from 2016-03-25T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Spanish composer-pianist Enrique Granados.

Women of the MacDowell Colony from 2016-03-18T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the work of the many female composers who have visited the Edward MacDowell artists' colony in Peterborough, New Hampshire

Strozzi from 2016-03-11T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Barbara Strozzi, with Dr Sara Pecknold

Debussy from 2016-02-26T11:50

Donald Macleod discusses the fruits of a number of Debussy's important friendships

Cimarosa from 2016-02-19T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Domenico Cimarosa

Ponce from 2016-02-12T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Mexican composer Manuel Ponce.

Rubinstein from 2016-02-05T11:50

Anton Rubinstein was called the Michelangelo of music and was one of the most prolific and charismatic musical figures of the 19th century.

Dvorak from 2016-01-29T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Dvorak

Dutilleux from 2016-01-26T12:30

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of French composer Henri Dutilleux

Coulthard from 2016-01-15T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Canadian composer Jean Coulthard

Stockhausen from 2016-01-08T11:50

Donald Macleod and Robert Worby explore the life and music of Karlheinz Stockhausen

Berwald from 2015-12-25T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Franz Berwald,

Sibelius from 2015-12-11T11:50

Donald Macleod explores how Sibelius's music helped bring the nation of Finland into being

CPE Bach from 2015-12-10T14:10

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, the second son of Johann Sebastian

Handel from 2015-12-02T16:02

Donald Macleod explores Handel's early years

Hoagy Carmichael from 2015-11-20T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Hoagy Carmichael.

Farrenc from 2015-11-06T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of 19th-century French composer Louise Farrenc

Nielsen from 2015-10-30T11:50

Carl Nielsen's early life in rural Denmark in the aftermath of the 1864 war with Prussia

Cowell from 2015-10-23T10:50

A profile of US composer and pianist Henry Cowell

Kapralova from 2015-10-16T10:50

A profile of Czech composer and conductor Vitezslava Kapralova

Rachmaninov from 2015-10-09T10:50

Donald Macleod explores Rachmaninov the pianist-composer.

Vanhal from 2015-10-02T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the work of Vanhal.

Bellini from 2015-09-25T11:42

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini

Shostakovich from 2015-09-18T10:30

Donald Macleod views Dmitry Shostakovich through the prism of his string quartets

Elgar from 2015-09-11T10:30

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Edward Elgar.

Walton from 2015-08-07T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of English composer William Walton

Three Choirs from 2015-07-31T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the 300-year history of the Three Choirs Festival.

Poulenc from 2015-07-24T10:50

Donald Macleod charts some of Francis Poulenc's important musical friendships

Arvo Part from 2015-06-26T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Estonian composer Arvo Part.

Bach from 2015-06-19T15:55

Donald Macleod explores Bach's vocal music.

Kodaly from 2015-06-05T10:50

In conversation with David Vinden, Donald Macleod evaluates the life Zoltán Kodály.

Bacewicz from 2015-05-29T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of composer and violinist Grazyna Bacewicz

Schutz from 2015-05-22T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the early years of the man described as the "father of German Music", Heinrich Schutz.

Widor from 2015-05-15T10:50

Dr John Near joins Donald Macleod to journey through the world of Widor, looking beyond his famous organ Toccata to explore the composer's chamber and orchestral music.

Scriabin from 2015-05-01T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and career of the virtuoso pianist and composer Alexander Scriabin, described as 'one of the most enigmatic and controversial and artistic personalities of all time'

Tailleferre from 2015-04-17T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Germaine Tailleferre, whose published legacy reveals a rich treasure trove of chamber works, solo piano, concertos, ballets, operas and songs

Chopin from 2015-04-10T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the music and life of Chopin, zooming in on five key places on his lifetime itinerary

Judith Weir from 2015-04-03T10:50

Donald Macleod is joined by composer Judith Weir to discuss her life and work. Her music draws on a wide variety of sources: fairy tales, folk stories, Chinese philosophy and Indian music and culture

Holst from 2015-03-27T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and career of English composer Gustav Holst

Weber from 2015-03-20T11:50

Donald Macleod explores works by Carl Maria von Weber

Five Under 35 from 2015-03-13T11:50

Donald Macleod speaks to five members of a new generation of British composers about their work and the issue of women in music from a contemporary perspective

Jacquet de la Guerre from 2015-03-06T11:50

Hailed by scholars as one of the most successful women in the history of French music, Donald Macleod explores with Mary Cyr, the life and music of Elisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre.

Verdi from 2015-02-27T11:50

Donald Macleod explores Giuseppe Verdi’s middle period.

Purcell from 2015-02-13T11:50

Henry Purcell's stageworks: William and Mary's accession heralds a change in direction for one of England's most brilliant and respected composers. Donald Macleod charts Purcell's activities during...

Schubert from 2015-02-06T11:50

Donald Macleod explores music written in a critical time in Schubert's life, following the diagnosis of serious illness

Bartok from 2015-01-30T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. Today he focuses on Bartok's sickly childhood, early life...

Haydn from 2015-01-23T11:50

Exploring Haydn's time at the Hungarian palace of Eszterhaza, the composer's primary base of operations for nearly a quarter of a century and where, he said, he 'was forced to become original'

Lassus from 2015-01-16T11:50

Donald Macleod surveys the life and music of Orlande de Lassus, a cosmopolitan composer who became so famous he was known as 'the divine Orlando'.

Liszt from 2015-01-09T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Franz Liszt with a rare opportunity to hear all 13 of his symphonic poems

Chabrier from 2015-01-02T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Emmanuel Chabrier, a composer whose originality is acknowledged by leading voices of French music in the 20th century.

Vivaldi from 2014-12-26T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Antonio Vivaldi, a Venetian priest, feted in his lifetime as both composer and violinist, yet destined to die in obscurity in faraway Vienna

Previn from 2014-12-19T11:50

In conversation with Donald Macleod, celebrated conductor, composer, jazz performer and classical pianist Andre Previn discusses his remarkable life and music

Schumann from 2014-12-12T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Robert Schumann, focusing on the literary influences that helped shape his work

Lord Berners from 2014-12-05T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of the colourful and eccentric British composer Lord Berners. While he behaved as a very English gentleman, his compositions had a distinctive European sl...

Falla from 2014-11-28T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Spanish composer Manuel de Falla

Mozart from 2014-11-14T11:50

Donald Macleod explores five key years of Mozart's life and presents five of his chamber works for solo wind and strings

Stradella from 2014-11-07T11:50

Donald Macleod on the music of Alessandro Stradella. Highly respected and successful, he wrote in all genres: oratorios, cantatas, theatre music, opera seria, songs, and sacred and instrumental music

Khachaturian from 2014-10-31T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Aram Khachaturian, a composer whose colourful scores led him to be dubbed the 'Rubens of Russian Music'

Brahms Experience- Johannes Brahms from 2014-10-10T10:40

Exploring the friendship between Johannes Brahms and Clara Schumann, who would become a lifelong friend, critic and inspiration

Dyson from 2014-10-03T10:40

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of George Dyson, celebrated composer, broadcaster, teacher and author of the first manual on hand grenade use

Panufnik from 2014-09-26T10:50

Donald Macleod celebrates the life and music of Warsaw-born composer Andrzej Panufnik

Donizetti from 2014-09-19T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Gaetano Donizetti, who composed almost 70 operas in 19th-century Italy

Rameau from 2014-09-12T10:50

Donald Macleod is joined by Professor Graham Sadler to celebrate the work of one of the greatest figures in French musical history, composer and theorist Jean-Philippe Rameau

Stravinsky from 2014-08-08T10:50

Donald Macleod explores Igor Stravinsky's life and work up to the end of World War I, introducing rarely-heard and early compositions

Cole Porter from 2014-08-01T10:40

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Cole Porter, one of the most famous Broadway composers of his time. His achievements include a catalogue of witty, sophisticated and sometimes risque songs

Dittersdorf from 2014-07-18T10:50

Donald Macleod on the life and music of Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf, a composer whose concertos, operas, string quartets and over 100 symphonies made him a rival to Haydn in the late 18th century.

Buxtehude from 2014-07-11T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Danish organist and composer Dietrich Buxtehude

Gurney from 2014-07-04T10:50

Donald Macleod is joined by Dr Kate Kennedy to explore the life and work of Ivor Gurney. Including works specially recorded for the series.

Strauss from 2014-06-13T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Richard Strauss

Weinberg from 2014-06-06T10:50

Donald Macleod and Martin Anderson explore the life and work of Mieczyslaw Weinberg

Berlioz from 2014-05-30T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of quintessential romantic, Hector Berlioz

Hans Gal from 2014-05-09T10:50

Donald Macleod is joined by conductor, cellist and Gal expert Kenneth Woods to explore the life and prolific career of Hans Gal

Locatelli from 2014-04-04T10:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Pietro Locatelli. He became famous for his innovative, virtuosic playing which informed his music and challenged views of the violin's capabilities

Leopold Mozart from 2014-03-21T11:50

Donald Macleod is joined by Prof Cliff Eisen to explore the life and work of Wolfgang Mozart's father, Leopold. He was at the forefront of early symphonic writing and composed music across many forms

Franck from 2014-02-28T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Belgian composer Cesar Franck

Rossini from 2014-02-21T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Gioachino Rossini, most successful composer of the early 19th century,

Taneyev from 2014-02-07T11:50

Donald Macleod is joined by Dr Anastasia Belina-Johnson to explore the life and music of Sergei Ivanovich Taneyev, a one-time child prodigy, who became an excellent pianist and a great composer.

Massenet from 2014-01-31T12:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of one of France's most spectaular operatic superstars, Jules Massenet.

Vienna on the Brink from 2014-01-10T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the music of Vienna, the most exciting cultural city in the world in the early 1900s and home of Mahler, Schoenberg and Freud.

The Sammartini Brothers from 2014-01-03T11:50

Donald Macleod explores the lives and music of Giuseppe and Giovanni Sammartini

70th Anniversary Special - Louise Farrenc from 2013-12-20T12:50

Donald Macleod marks Composer of the Week's 70th birthday by featuring a composer suggested by Radio 3 listeners: Louise Farrenc

Iceland from 2013-12-13T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the landscapes and vistas of Iceland, to discover its unique musical culture, including the work of its greatest 20th-century composer, Jon Leifs

Pietro Mascagni from 2013-12-06T12:55

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Mascagni, who triumphed in his early twenties with his opera Cavalleria Rusticana and, during his lifetime, was one of the most famous figures in Italy

Saint-Saens from 2013-11-29T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the charming and eccentric variety of later works by Camille Saint-Saens

Britten 100 from 2013-11-22T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Benjamin Benjamin Britten for the 100th anniverary of the composer's birth. From humdrum origins, he rose to be the pre-eminent British composer of his ...

Bill Evans from 2013-11-15T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Bill Evans, the 'poet of the piano' and the 'Chopin of jazz'. He came to prominence working with Miles Davis and played with Tony Bennett and Stan Getz

Ethel Smyth from 2013-11-08T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of composer, author and women's rights champion Ethel Smyth

Franz Joseph Haydn from 2013-11-01T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Haydn through another musical form apart from the symphony that the composer made his own, his music for trio

Lully from 2013-10-25T13:00

Donald Macleod explores the work of Lully, the pre-eminent composer of the French court in the late 17th century, the founding father of French opera and a leading figure in the music of his era.

Chaminade and Holmes from 2013-10-18T13:00

Donald Macleod, with the help of experts Marcia Citron of Rice University and Karen Henson of Columbia University, explores the life and work of Cecile Chaminade and Augusta Holmes