Composer of the Week

BBC Radio 3

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MUSIC
EVERY TWO WEEKS

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.

5 DAYS AGO

Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847)

Donald Macleod traces the musical development of Fanny Hensel née Mendelssohn. Whilst Fanny’s famous brother Felix Mendelssohn’s career flourished, the equally talented Fanny was often held back by the conventions of the period and at times, by her own brother. Despite this, in her final years, Fanny would go on to publish her own music under her married name, Fanny Hensel. Music Featured: Das Jahr, H-U 385 Piano Quartet in A flat, H-U 55 Ferne, H-U 97 Der Fischer, H-U 85 An Suleika, H-U 148 Mailied, H-U 122 Piano Sonata in C minor, H-U 128 Prelude in G, H-U 243 Der Rosenkranz, H-U 168 Ostersonate, piano sonata in A, H-U 235 Am Flusse, H-U 204 Harfners Lied, H-U 162 Deinem Blick mich zu bequemen, H-U 151 Sonata o Fantasia, H-U 238 Hiob, H-U 258 Oratorio on words from the Bible, H-U 260 (Gott unser Schild) Klavierstück, in F minor H-U 302 (Allegro agitato) Hero und Leander, H-U 262 String Quartet in E flat, H-U 277 Mélodie, Op 4/5 No 4 (Lento appassionato) Overture, H-U 265 Im wunderschönen Monat Mai, H-U 323 Lobgesang, H-U 257 (Chorus: Meine Seele ist stille zu Gott) Warum sind denn die Rosen so blass, H-U 312 Gondellied, H-U 377 Capriccio in A flat, H-U 247 Aus meinen Tränen sprießen, H-U 327 Abschied von Rom, H-U 352 Die frühen Gräber, H-U 222 Dämmrung senkte sich von oben, H-U 392 Piano Trio in D minor, Op 11 Lobgesang, H-U 257 (excerpt) Im Herbste, H-U 416 Vorwulf, H-U 462 Bergeslust, H-U 466 Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Audio Wales & West For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Fanny Mendelssohn (1805-1847) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002cym9 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

54 min
30 MAY

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Donald Macleod explores Beethoven’s endeavours to become the guardian of his brother’s son Karl - a relationship which from the start was built upon rocky foundations. Music Featured: Allegro and Minuet, WoO 26 (Excerpt) Symphony No 3 ‘Eroica’ (Scherzo. Allegro vivace) Leonore Prohaska, WoO 96 (Funeral March) Piano Sonata No 28 in A, Op 101 Sehnsucht, WoO 146 Das Geheimnis, WoO 145 Der Mann von Wort, Op 99 Symphony No 7 in A, Op 92 (Allegretto) Music, Love and Wine, Op 108 No 1 Behold my love how green the groves, Op 108 No 9 Symphony No 8 in F, Op 93 (Allegro vivace) Piano Sonata No 29 in B flat, Op 106 ‘Hammerklavier’ (Allegro) String Quintet in C minor, Op 104 (Allegro con brio) Missa Solemnis in D, Op 123 (Agnus Dei) Minuet, WoO17 (Mödlinger Tänze, No 2) Piano Sonata No 30 in E, Op 109 (Prestissimo) Symphony No 9 in D minor, Op 125 ‘Choral’ (Excerpt) Resignation, WoO 149 Abendlied Unterm Gestirnten Himmel, WoO150 Piano Sonata No 31 in A flat, Op 110 Bagatelle No 2, Op 126 (Allegro) Der Kuss, Op 128 Missa Solemnis in D, Op 123 (Gloria) Symphony No 9 in D minor, Op 125 ‘Choral’ (Scherzo) String Quartet No 12 in E flat, Op 127 (excerpt) Waltz in E flat, WoO 85 Tremate, empi, tremate, Op 116 String Quartet No 15 in A minor, Op 132 (Molto adagio) Elegischer Gesang ‘Sanft wie du lebtest‘, Op 118 Piano Sonata No 12 in A flat, Op 26 (Marche Funebre) Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Audio Wales & West For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002cbw3 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

57 min
23 MAY

Leos Janacek (1854-1928)

Kate Molleson explores the maverick spirit, fierce passions and phenomenal twilight years of Leoš Janáček Leoš Janáček was a true Czech original. He heard music in the way people talk on the streets, loved the local and made it universal - pouring his “speech melodies” into pioneering, devastating operas, and writing some of the most intimate confessionals in instrumental music. His life also came with a major plot twist – after years of toiling away unappreciated, he suddenly found fame in his 60s. Instead of winding down, Janáček revved up. This week, Kate Molleson explores his maverick spirit, his fierce passions, and the phenomenal flood of inspiration of his twilight years. Music Featured: Sinfonietta (Fanfare) The Wild Duck In the Mists (2nd mvt, Molto adagio) The Fiddler’s Child Songs of Hradčany (The Weeping Fountain) Jenůfa, Act II (Jenůfa’s Prayer) Moravian Folk Poetry in Song, JW V/2 (No 2, Constancy) On the Overgrown Path (Our Evenings; A Blown Away Leaf) Diary of One Who Disappeared (Nos 19-22) Katya Kabanova: Act II Scene 2 "Jste to vy, Katěrino Petrovno?"…."Choď si, dívka, do času" The Cunning Little Vixen Act II “Fox Goldenstripe…..That’s how it is!” Quartet No 1 ‘Kreutzer Sonata’ (1st & 2nd mvts) March of the Blue Birds Říkadla - Nursery Rhymes (excerpt) Lachian Dances (Nos 3-6) Mládí On the Overgrown Path (No 9, In Tears) Pohádka – Fairytale Glagolitic Mass (Intrada) The Excursions of Mr Broucek Suite (The Moon Waltz) 1905 Sonata Capriccio (2nd & 3rd mvt) Glagolitic Mass (excerpt) Moravian Love Songs (No 10 ‘Love’) Intimate Sketches (Waiting for You!) From the House of the Dead Suite (3rd mvt, Holiday is Coming) Quartet No 2 ‘Intimate Letters’ On the Overgrown Path (No 7, Good Night) Presented by Kate Molleson Produced by Amelia Parker 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 Leos Janacek (1854-1928) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002c0h9 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

1h 4m
16 MAY

Max Bruch (1839-1920)

Donald Macleod colours in Bruch’s life story and reveals the breadth of his output “Only true melody outlasts all changes and shifts of time” – so said this week’s composer, Max Bruch, the creator of what may be the world’s best-loved violin concerto. But Bruch would hate us to think of him as a one hit wonder. He even came to resent the very sound of his first Violin concerto, the only piece by which he’s often remembered. This week, Donald Macleod colours in Bruch’s life story and reveals the breadth of his output, including some of his lesser-heard music. Music Featured: Frühlingslied, Op 7 No 5 (arr. for violin and piano) Septet, Op Posth (3rd mvt, Scherzo) Klavierstücke, Op 12 (excerpt) Piano Trio, Op 5 Die Loreley Overture String Quartet No 2 in E major, Op 10 (1st mvt, Allegro maestoso) Swedish Dances (No 10, Frisch, nicht zu schnell) Musicaklang, Op 71 No 5 Symphony No 1 (5th mvt, Finale) Schön Ellen, Op 24 Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor 12 Scottish Folksongs (No 2, Johnie und Jenny) Songs, Op 49 No 4 – Serenade Piano Quintet in G minor (3rd & 4th mvts) Gruss an die Heilige Nacht (Greeting to the Holy Night) Kol Nidrei Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra (4th mvt, Allegro guerriero) 8 Pieces for Clarinet, viola and piano, Op 83 No 2 In der Nacht, Op 72 4 Pieces, Op 70 (No 1, Aria) Concerto for Two Pianos (4th mvt) Double Concerto for clarinet and viola Sommerlust im Walde, Op 71 No 1 String Quartet No 1 (3rd mvt) Das Lied von der Glocke (final movements) Odysseus Prelude In Memoriam, Op 65 Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Amelia Parker 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 Max Bruch (1839-1920) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002br0d 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

1h 10m
9 MAY

Edward Elgar (1857-1934)

Donald Macleod delves into some of Edward Elgar’s greatest passions. Edward Elgar was a man of many passions, from cycling to chemistry. This week, Donald Macleod explores five Elgar’s greatest passions. Music Featured: Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 Caractacus, Op 35 (Scene 3, excerpt) Pomp and Circumstance March No 3 in C minor The Spirit of England, Op. 80 (No 3, For the Fallen) Coronation Ode, Op 44 (Crown the King) Salut D’Amour, Op 12 The Wind at Dawn 2 Partsongs, Op 26 (No 2, Fly, Singing Bird) String Quartet in E minor, Op 83 (2nd mvt) Cello Concerto in E minor, Op 85 Ave Verum Corpus, Op 2, No 1 The Dream of Gerontius, Op 38 (excerpt from Part 2) The Apostles, Op 49 (excerpt from Part 1) The Kingdom, Op 51 (Prelude) Te Deum, Op 34 No 1 Enigma Variations, Op 36 Violin Concerto in B minor, Op 61 (2nd mvt) Carissima Five Part-songs from The Greek Anthology, Op 45 Sea Pictures, Op 37 (No 2, In Haven) Introduction & Allegro for strings, Op 47 Land of Hope and Glory Symphony No 1 in A flat major, Op 55 (4th mvt) Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Alice McKee 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 Edward Elgar (1857-1934) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002bw86 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

1h 11m
2 MAY

Elisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665-1729)

Kate Molleson explores the extraordinary life and music of Elisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre Elisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665-1729) was a pioneer in the history of music, one of the first to bring sonatas and cantatas into the French repertoire, and the first woman in France to compose a performed opera. She explored and pushed further the possibilities of musical composition, as well as writing some of the most beautiful pieces of the Baroque era. She worked under the patronage of the most powerful figures of this Grand Siècle that saw the absolute reign of Louis XIV and the construction of his dreamed Versailles. And yet, there are still many elements of mystery and unknown in this composer's story. Kate Molleson invites you to (re)discover the extraordinary adventures of a gifted musician, with a soupçon of French flair and lots of gorgeous music. Music Featured: Harpsichord Suite in G major L'Isle de Délos ["The Island of Delos"] Harpsichord Suite in G minor Le Passage de la Mer Rouge ["The Crossing of the Red Sea"] Sonata No 1 in D minor Les Rossignols, dès que le Jour Commence Harpsichord Suite in D minor Sonata No 5 in A minor Sémélé ["Semele"] Harpsichord Suite in A minor Sonata No 2 in D major Sonata No 1 in G minor (transcribed for organ) Céphale et Procris ["Cephalus and Procris"] Harpsichord Suite in F major Sonata in D major Jacob et Rachel Harpsichord Suite in D minor Suite in G major Sonata No. 3 in F major Jonas Judith Le Sommeil d’Ulysse ["Ulysses' Sleep"] ( Le Raccomodement Comique de Pierrot et de Nicole Trio Sonata in G minor Air à boire La Provençale: 'Entre nous mes chers amis' ["Between us, dear friends'"] Presented by Kate Molleson Produced by Julien Rosa 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 Elisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665-1729) nhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002b676 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

1h 4m
18 APR

Mozart's Last Years

This week, Donald Macleod charts the highs and lows of the composer's last five years, from veneration to humiliation and back again. We hear how Mozart coped with all that life threw at him and somehow managed to compose many of the works he’s most loved for today. Music featured: Requiem Ein musikalischer Spass (4th mvt, Presto) Symphony No 38 “Prague” (3rd mvt, Presto) Canon: Ach zu kurz ist unsers Lebenslauf String Quintet in G minor, K515 (2nd mvt. Adagio, arr. for piano) Serenade in G, K525 "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" (1st and 2nd mvts) Don Giovanni, Act I, Madamina (Catalogue aria) Contredance in C major “La Bataille” Symphony No 40 (3rd mvt, Menuetto) Divertimento in E flat major, K 563 (1st mvt, Allegro) Piano Sonata No 16 in C major, K545 “Facile” (2nd mvt, Andante) Symphony No 41 “Jupiter” (1st and 2nd mvts) Kleine Gigue in G minor, K574 Vado, ma dove? Oh dei! K583 Piano Concerto No 26 "Coronation" (2nd mvt) Cosi fan tutte, Act 1, Un’ aura amorosa “Prussian” String Quartet No 1 in D, K575 (2nd mvt) Clarinet Quintet in A, K581 (1st and 2nd mvts) Cosi fan tutte Overture Cosi fan tutte, Act II, Una donna Adagio and Allegro in F minor (originally for organ), K594 String Quintet in D, K593 (1st and 2nd mvts) La clemenza di Tito (Marcia) The Magic Flute Overture Piano Concerto in B flat, K595 (2nd mvt, Largo) Ave verum corpus, K618 Adagio for Glass Harmonica, K617a The Magic Flute, Act II, Scene 5, Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen Clarinet Concerto in A, K622 (1st mvt) Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Amelia Parker 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 Mozart's Last Years https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0029psw 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

1h 8m
11 APR

Carl Nielsen (1865-1931)

Donald Macleod explores Danish composer, Carl Nielsen, through his temperaments Carl Nielsen (1865-1931) is probably the most eminent Danish composer. Known mainly for his talent as a symphonist and for his incidental music for 'Aladdin', he also pushed the boundaries of Romantic music, whether in his work on the voice or his exploration of dissonance. Born in the fairy tale-looking island of Fyn, his music is indeed full of characters: Nielsen was fascinated by the multiplicity of human emotions and personalities. To the extent that they frequently were the source of his musical creativity. After all, he was himself a passionate character, something that transpires in his very scores, in which the composer often hides behind the music. This week, inspired by his second and fourth symphonies, Donald Macleod invites you to discover Carl Nielsen's story through the prism of five different aspects of his temperament. Music Featured: Saul og David (Prelude to Act II) Symphony No 2, Op 16, FS29 ‘The Four Temperaments’ Fynsk Forar, Op 42 (excerpt) Polka in A major, FS1 Little Suite for strings in A minor, Op 1 (3rd mvt) Aladdin Suite, Op 34 (excerpt) Søvnen, Op 18 String Quartet in D Minor, FS 3d (3rd mvt) Saga-Drøm, Op 39, FS 46 Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, FS 119 (1st mvt) The Heavens darken, vast and silent, FS 106 Dream about ‘Silent Night’, FS 34 Farewell, my respectable native town! String Quartet No 1 in G minor, Op 13, FS 4 (excerpt) Humoresque Bagatelles Moderen [The Mother], Op 41 (No 2, Tågen letter “The Fog is Lifting”) String Quartet No 2 in F minor, Op 5 (excerpt) Romance in D major for violin and piano Hymnus amoris [Hymn of Love] for soloists, choir and orchestra, Op 12 (No 4, Old Age) Three Motets (No 3, Benedictus Dominus) 5 Songs, FS 12 (No 4, Irmelin Rose) Piano Suite "The Luciferan", FS 91, Op 45 (excerpt) String Quartet No 3 in E-flat major, FS 23, Op 14 (excerpt) Symphony No 3, Op 27, FS 60 "Sinfonia espansiva" (3rd mvt) Maskarade, FS 39, Act III (excerpt) Symphonic Suite for Piano, Op 8, FS 19 (4th mvt, Finale) Stophic Songs, FS 42, Vol 2, No 1, "Saenk kun dit hoved, du blomst" The Spider’s Song Jens Vejmand (arr. Finn Savery) Helios, Op 17, FS 32 Violin Concerto, Op 33, FS 61 (Preludium) Symphony No 6 "Sinfonia semplice", FS 116 (4th mvt, Tema con variazioni) Symphony No 4 "The Inextinguishable", Op 29, FS 76 (4th mvt) Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Julien Rosa 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 Carl Nielsen (1865-1931) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0029j16 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

1h 10m

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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.

Creator

BBC Radio 3
Years Active

2008 - 2025
Episodes

628
Rating

Clean
Show Website

Composer of the Week
Provider

BBC Studios Distribution Limited has identified itself as a trader for this podcast and confirmed that this product or service complies with European Union law. Address 1 Television Centre 101 Wood Lane London London W12 7FA United Kingdom Phone Number +44 7590176301 Email bbcstudiosaudiodistribution@bbc.com