Composer of the Week Podcast Folgen

Donald Macleod explores the richly evocative musical landscape of Ottorino RespighiThis week, we’re invited to explore the richly evocative musical landscape of Ottorino Respighi. The colourful inventiveness of his most popular music was often inspired by images, places or stories, like his trio of ‘Tone Poems’: Pines of Rome, Fountains of Rome, and Roman Festivals. These works and others were frequently championed by celebrated conductor, Arturo Toscanini, and Respighi rose to become one of the leading Italian composers of the twentieth century. He remains hugely popular with orchestras and audiences today. Respighi’s trademark orchestral brilliance betrays the influence of his Russian mentor, Rimsky Korsakov. He was also fascinated by early music and sometimes incorporated antique styles into his works. In this series, Donald Macleod explores Respighi’s life and music from different perspectives, including his associations with Bologna, Rome and the USA, the important presence of his wife, Elsa, and also his complicated relationship with Toscanini.Respighi was born in Bologna in 1879, and the city would have a lasting influence upon the composer, even after he’d moved to Rome. It was here, as a young man, that Respighi first discovered his interest in the music of the Renaissance and Baroque, which would have a great impact on his future compositions. Also in Bologna, he began performing in the Theatre Orchestra, a job which eventually led him to St. Petersburg where he encountered, Rimsky-Korsakov. Bologna also boasted a number of second-hand bookshops, where Respighi enjoyed spending his time. Over the years he amassed several thousand volumes, some of which inspired operas and songs.Music Featured: Adagio con variazioni, P. 133 Violin Sonata in B minor, P. 110 (Moderato) Burlesca per Orchestra, P. 59 Notte. P. 55a Nebbie, P. 64 Aretusa, P. 95 Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No 1, P. 109 (Balleto detto “Il conte Orlando”) Il tramonto, P. 101 Fountains of Rome, P. 106 Violin Sonata in B minor, P. 110 (excerpt) Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No 2, P. 138 (Danza Rustica) Pines of Rome, P. 141 Concerto Gregoriano, P. 135 (Finale) Belfagor overture, P. 140 Poema autunnale, P. 146 Deità silvane, P. 147 No 1 (excerpt) Trittico botticelliano, P. 151 Gli uccelli, P. 154 (The Hen) Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No. 3, P. 172 (excerpt) Prelude and Fugue in D major, P 158 (after J.S. Bach’s BWV 532) Notturno, P. 44 Roman Festivals, P. 157Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC WalesFor 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 Ottorino Respighi (1879 - 1936) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0014npmAnd 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 work of Edward Gregson and Alan BushThis week, Donald Macleod is in conversation with British composer, Edward Gregson, who offers a fascinating window into his own story and also the life and work of his mentor, Alan Bush. We’ll see how both composers have made significant contributions to Britain’s musical story, and we explore the events that led to the very different trajectories of their careers.Edward Gregson knew that classical music would be his life after encountering Brahms’s music as a teenager. He studied composition with Alan Bush, and his natural instinct for melody and brilliant orchestral colour have made him a popular choice with audiences and performers across the world. He also prides himself in rising to a challenge, including taking on the leadership of one of Britain’s major musical conservatoires.In the early part of the twentieth century, Alan Bush seemed destined to become of the regular stalwarts of Britain’s music scene, alongside his contemporaries William Walton and Michael Tippett. It was not to be. Bush's conversion to communism put him at odds with the British establishment and sent his career in a very different direction. His story is intriguing and frustrating in equal measure but, Edward argues, Bush’s ever-present political agenda shouldn’t detract from the intrinsic quality of his music.Music Featured: Gregson: Concerto for Orchestra (III. Toccata) Gregson: Quintet for Brass, (1st mvt) Gregson: Music for Chamber Orchestra (I. Lento maestoso) Gregson: Connotations Gregson: Six Little Pieces for piano (Nos. 1-4) Gregson: The Kings go Forth (I. The Church) Bush: Concert-Piece for cello and piano (opening) Bush: Relinquishment Bush: Dialectic Bush: Piano Concerto (extract) Bush: Symphony No 1 (1st mvt) Gregson: Stepping Out Gregson: Violin Concerto (2nd mvt) Gregson: Shadow of Paradise Gregson: Make a Joyful Noise Gregson: Clarinet Concerto (Part 1) Bush: Three Concert Studies (I. Moto Perpetuo) Bush: Violin Concerto (II. Andante espressivo) Bush: Symphony No 2, ‘The Nottingham Symphony’ (III. ‘Castle Rock’ & IV ‘Goose Fair’) Bush: Voices of the Prophets (Nos. 1-3) Bush: Africa - Symphonic movement for piano and orchestra (extract) Gregson: Symphony in two movements (I. Toccata) Gregson: String Quartet No 1 (1st mvt) Bush: Symphony No 4, ‘Lascaux Symphony’ (II. ‘The Children’) Gregson: Dream SongPresented by Donald Macleod Produced by Chris Taylor for BBC WalesFor 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 Gregson (b 1945) and Alan Bush (1900-1995) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0014g7kAnd 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 Elgar's own belief that he was an outsider from British societyElgar is the composer we turn to in times of national celebration, of pride (Pomp and Circumstance Marches) and of public grief (Nimrod). He mingled with royalty and was made a knight of the realm, seemingly a pillar of the Edwardian and early 20th Century British establishment. And yet, for most of his life he felt himself to be a misfit. This week, Donald Macleod explores some of the reasons for that sense of unbelonging.Music Featured:Chanson du matin My love dwelt in a northern land Serenade for Strings (I. Allegro piacevole) Sea Pictures (I. Sea Slumber Song; II. In Haven (Capri); III. Sabbath Morning at Sea) Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma” (Var.7 (Troyte) – 14 (Finale - EDU)) Bavarian Dance No.1 From the Bavarian Highlands (V. On the Alm) The Dream of Gerontius, Part 2: “I see not those false spirits” … “Praise to the holiest” Pomp and Circumstance March No.1 in D The Apostles, Part 2, Scene 4: The Betrayal, In Gethsemane There is Sweet Music Introduction and Allegro In Smyrna Symphony No.1 in A flat (I. Andante (Nobilmente e semplice) – Allegro) Pomp and Circumstance March No.4 in G The Wand of Youth Suite (I. Fairies and Giants) Violin Concerto in B minor (I. Allegro) Piano Quintet in A minor (II. Adagio) Cockaigne (In London Town) – Overture Nursery Suite (I. Aubade; VI. The Merry Doll) Violin Sonata in E minor (III. Allegro non troppo) Cello Concerto in E minor Pomp and Circumstance March No.5 in CPresented by Donald Macleod Produced by Graham RogersFor 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/m001408xAnd 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