Composer of the Week Podcast Folgen

Donald Macleod explores the relationship between Verdi and the city of Milan. As the hearse carrying the coffin of the composer Giuseppi Verdi travelled through Milan, more than half of the city’s population lined the streets to pay their respects and catch a final glimpse of their hero. Few musicians have made such an indelible impression on the population of a country, and become more linked to their sense of identity than him. And fewer still have become as ingrained in the fabric of a city as Verdi is in Milan. Today, as well as a statue to the composer, both the Conservatoire and a major theatre are named after him. So how was this relationship, between the city of Milan, and Verdi – a man born in Le Roncole, which was then French territory – who would rise to become the most successful Italian composer of his generation, forged? Over the course of this week, Donald Macleod explores the twists and turns of Verdi’s relationship with Milan -where Verdi would see his first iconic successes, and where he would breathe his last, but also a city where, for a time, he tried to ban the performances of his music.Music Featured: Requiem - Sanctus Io la Vidi (Scena lirica) La Forza del Destino - Overture La seduzione Oberto, conte di San Bonifacio (excerpt) Nabucco - “Va, pensiero, sull’ali dorate” I Lombardi alla prima crociata – “Oh belle, a questa misera” Ernani – “Ernani Involami” Giovanna d’Arco – Act 1, Scene 2 Alzira Overture Macbeth (1847 version) – “ Vegliammo invan due notti - “Un lume recasi in man?” La battaglia di legnano – “Giuriam d’Italia” Aida – “Gloria all’Egitto, ad Iside”; triumphal march La Forza del Destino – “La Vergine degli angeli” Requiem – Libera Me, Domine Falstaff – Act II Scene II Otello - “Ave Maria”Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Sam Phillips For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001dpc0And 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 the life and music of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, from his first steps up the musical ladder, to his premature death at the age of 37 and the legacy left behind. At the turn of the 20th century, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor could have been described as the most famous Black person in Britain. His cantata trilogy, the Song of Hiawatha, was an overnight success, and by the age of 25 he had packed out the Royal Albert Hall with a thousand performers, let alone the audience. His fame took him all around Britain and America as choral societies from Worcester to Washington DC all wanted to sing his music, and Coleridge-Taylor became a role-model, especially for African-Americans. But tragically, just over a decade later, he would be dead. He remained a household name into the 1930s, only for his flame to flicker out much sooner than he deserved. All this week, Donald re-visits his fascinating story, with recordings predominantly released in the last 5 years, showing how excited today's performers are to rediscover his delightful music.Music Featured: Going Up Clarinet Quintet in F sharp minor, Op 10 (iv. Finale) Magnificat in F major Piano Quintet, Op 1 (i. Allegro con moto; ii- Larghetto) Symphony, Op 8 (iii. Scherzo) Nonet (ii. Andante con moto) African Romances, Op 17 (Ballad) Hiawatha Overture Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast (excerpt) Othello Suite Nonet (3rd and 4th movements) Romance of the Prairie Lilies (arr. P.E. Fletcher for orchestra) The Bamboula for piano African Suite (iv. African Dance, orch. Chris Cameron) Big Lady Moon Summer is gone Violin Concerto, Op 80 (ii. Andante semplice; iii. Allegro molto) Hiawatha’s Departure (excerpt) Deep River (arr. Kanneh-Mason Trio)Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Amelia Parker 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 Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001dfvpAnd 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 and works of Robert Schumann during the 1840s. The 1840s was the decade when Robert and Clara Schumann’s married life began, and was the decade in which he established himself as a significant composer. Focusing on both his personal and professional life, Donald explores the ups and downs Schumann faced during these revolutionary ten years. Music Featured:Der Hidalgo (Three Poems, Op 30: No 3) Die alten, bosen Lieder (Dichterliebe, Op 48: No 16) Symphony No 1 in B-flat major, Op 38, "Spring" (1st mvt) Overture, Scherzo and Finale, Op 52 Piano Quintet in E-flat major, Op 44 (2nd and 3rd mvt) Das Paradies und die Peri, Op 50 (excerpt) String Quartet No 2 in F major, Op 41, No 2 (1st mvt) Symphony No 2 in C major, Op 61 (1st mvt) Piano Trio No 1 in D minor, Op 63 (1st mvt) Piano Concerto in A minor, Op 54 (1st mvt) Fruhlingsgesang (Album for the Youth, Op 68: No 15) Piano Trio No 2 in F major, Op 80 (3rd and 4th mvt) Genoveva, Op 81 (Act 4: Steil und steiler) Nachtlied Op 108 Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Iain ChambersFor 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 Robert Schumann (1810-1856) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001cyl5And 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