Composer of the Week Podcast Folgen

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 remains one of the most famous names in classical music today. In this episode, Donald begins by exploring Vivaldi’s intrinsic link with his birth city, Venice, through a series of images. Next, he examines the depth of Vivaldi’s faith – as an ordained priest who didn’t say mass, there have been many questions asked about his piety. We’ll also hear about the composer’s many female muses, his rapid fall from grace to anonymity and the posthumous rediscovery of his music after a long period in the musical wilderness.Music featured: Violin Concerto in E flat major “La Tempesta di Mare”, RV 253 Armida, RV 699 Violin Concerto in F minor “L’inverno”, RV297 Judita Triumphans, RV644 Concerto for two horns, RV 538 Laetatus sum (psalm 121), RV 607 Concerto in G minor, Op 3 No 2, RV 578 Stabat Mater dolorosa, RV 621 Gloria, RV 589 Griselda, RV 718 Il Teuzzone RV 736 Dorilla In Tempe, RV 709 Concerto for Viola d’Amore in A minor, RV397 Orlando furioso, RV 728 Nulla in mundo pax sincera, RV 630 Atenaide, RV 702 Il Farnace, RV 711 Concerto per S.A.S.I.S.P.G.M.D.G.S.M.B., RV 574 Violin Concerto in E major “la primavera”, RV 269 La Senna Festeggiante, RV 693 Violin Concerto No 12 in B Minor “La Cetra”, RV 391 Agrippo, RV697 Il Bajazet, RV 703 Nisi Dominus, RV 608 Salve Regina, RV 616 Bach: Concerto for Four Keyboards in A minor (after Vivaldi), BWV 1065 L’Olimpiade, RV 725 Violin Concerto in G Minor “L'estate", RV 315 Dixit Dominus, RV 594 Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC WalesFor full tracklistings, 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 Antonio Vivaldi https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006zh2And 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 talks to composer James MacMillan as he celebrates his 60th birthdayOne of the UK’s most prolific living composers, James MacMillan was born on the 16th of July 1959 in Ayrshire. His grandfather introduced him to brass band music and his primary teacher taught him the recorder. The combination of these musical experiences sparked a lifelong passion in James to make and create music of his own. As well as James’s journey into music, we’ll hear about the birth of James’s political and religious views, and his critiques of Scotland which finds their way into his writing. Donald and James discuss the importance of the composer’s connection with his listeners and performers. His festival, the Cumnock Tryst, brings musical sharing to his community in Ayrshire, and his religious music continues to bring solace even in very difficult family times.Music featured: The Storm (Into the Ferment) Berserking (1st movement) It is Finished (Seven Last Words from the Cross) The Confession of Isobel Gowdie For Ian Cantos Sagrados (Identity) The Reproaches (Cello Concerto) Veni, Veni Emmanuel A Scotch Bestiary Tenebrae Responsories Clemency: Sarah’s Lament Piano Concerto No 2 (3rd movement - Shamnation) O Radiant Dawn (Strathclyde Motets) Miserere Oboe Concerto The Sacrifice: Act III, Scene 3 Domus Infelix Est - An Unhappy House One Prelude (St Luke Passion) Benedicimus Deum coeli (Strathclyde Motets) Violin Concerto (3rd movement – Song and Dance) Fac, ut portem Christi mortem (Stabat Mater)Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Rosie Boulton for BBC WalesFor full tracklistings, 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 James MacMillan https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006sjdAnd 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 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 taken as a young man in which he’s cheekily pulling funny faces for the camera. They’re far removed from the formal portraiture one might expect of Denmark’s foremost composer. As well as a good sense of humour, these unselfconscious poses reveal an open, inquisitive fascination with the world around him. In this episode, Donald Macleod explores how the world around him fed into Nielsen’s music. Excerpts from five of his symphonies reveal some of his most profound thinking on life, while his major choral works Hymnus Amoris and Springtime on Funen - which directly relate to his rural childhood - show a more personal side of his character. Ever the keen observer, there’s comedy and drama and even a musical portrait of chickens to be found in his operas. Music featured: Maskarade: Overture Violin Concerto, Op 33 (Rondo: Allegretto scherzando) Frihed er det bedste guld Helios Overture Afflictus Sum (3 Motets) The Cockerel’s Dance (Maskarade) Se dig ud en sommerdag Chaconne, Op 32 Symphony No 3 (1: Allegro espansivo) String Quintet in G major (3: Allegretto scherzando) Springtime on Funen, Op 42 Five Piano Pieces Op 3 (Humoresque: Allegretto giocoso) Little Suite for Strings (Intermezzo) 6 Songs, Op 10 Symphony No 1 (Allegro orgoglioso) Hymnus Amoris Benedictus Dominus (3 Motets) Jens Vejmand (excerpts) Suite, Op 45 for piano (Allegretto un pochettino) Saga-Dream Saul and David (Act 4) String Quartet in F major, Op 44 (1: Allegro non tanto e comodo) Symphony No 5 (Allegro – Presto – Andante poco tranquillo – Allegro (tempo 1)) Graeshoppen Wind Quintet (1: Allegro ben moderato) Pan and Syrinx, Op 49 Sonata for violin and piano No 2, Op 35 (2: molto adagio) Symphony No 4 (1: Allegro)Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Johannah Smith for BBC WalesFor full tracklistings, 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 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006m0zAnd 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