Composer of the Week Podcast Folgen

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 century: Igor Stravinsky. His name is probably still most associated with the utterly extraordinary, revolutionary evening that prompted that accolade – the premiere of The Rite of Spring in Paris on the 29th of May 1913. We’ll hear about his pivotal relationships with fellow musician Rimsky-Korsakov, his assistant Robert Craft and the impresario Sergei Diaghilev. Plus, Donald delves into some of the most formative periods in Stravinsky’s life: his creative move towards neo-classicism, the death of his wife, his lonely exile to the USA, and his experiments with serialist methods.Music featured: Rite of Spring Scherzo in G minor Pastorale Four Etudes, Op 7, Nos 3 and 4 Symphony in E flat major (1st and 2nd movements) Faun and Shepherdess Scherzo Fantastique Fireworks The Firebird Suite Three Movements from Petrushka Pulcinella (Overture) Mavra: Russian Song (arr for cello & piano) Octet (2nd movement) Symphony of Psalms Concerto in E flat major 'Dumbarton Oaks' Tango Ebony Concerto (1st and 2nd movements) Scherzo a la Russe Symphony in Three Movements Rake's Progress: Act I Scene 3 (excerpt) Mass (Kyrie, Gloria) In Memoriam Dylan Thomas Movements for Piano and Orchestra Agon: Act IV The dove descending breaks the air Canticum SacrumPresented by Donald Macleod Produced by Martin Williams 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 Igor Stravinsky https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0004y0pAnd 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 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 path to greatness strewn with obstacles. This week, Donald Macleod charts her struggle to take control of her own destiny and become one of America’s most cherished cultural figures; a composer who helped lead her nation into the mainstream of classical music. Famed conductor, Leopold Stokowski noted that her symphony was “full of real music, without any pretence or effects but just real, sincere, simple and deep music.” In her search to develop her individual voice as a composer, Donald discusses the impact of her religious beliefs, her marriage and the places which shaped her work: her first tour of Europe, and the MacDowell Colony, where she composed most of her later works.Music featured: Pastorale, Op 151 Romance, Op 23 Symphony in E minor, Op 32 (Gaelic) (Alla sicilana & Lento) Evening Hymn, Op 125 No 2 From Grandmother’s Garden, Op 97 The Year’s at the Spring, Op 44 No 1 Valse Caprice, Op 4 Canticle of the Sun, Op 123 Though I take the wings of morning, Op 152 Trio for violin, cello and piano, Op 150 Ah, love, but a day, Op 44 No 2 A Prelude, Op 71 No 1 When far from her, Op 2 No 2 Come, ah come, Op 48 No 1 Nunc Dimittis, Op 8 No 1 Peace I leave with you, Op 8 No 3 Violin Sonata in A minor, Op 34 Symphony in E minor, Op 32 (Gaelic) (Allegro di molto) Autumn Song, Op 56 No 1 Prelude Op 81 Der Totenkranz, Op 73 No 2 The Candy Lion, Op 75 No 1 Piano Concerto in C sharp minor, Op 45 On a Hill Je demande à l’oiseau, Op 51 No 4 A Hermit Thrush at Eve, Op 92 No 1 A Hermit Thrush at Morn, Op 92 No 2 Quartet for Strings, Op 89 Ambache Trois morceaux caractéristiques, Op 28Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock 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 Amy Beach https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0004ltqAnd 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 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 and performing in the city. The main work that he premiered there was a new oratorio which proved to be one of the landmarks of his career. Across the week we hear the whole of Handel’s Messiah, uncover the secrets of its origins and dispel the myths that still surround it.To begin this week’s episode, Donald and his guest Ruth Smith paint a picture of Handel’s life in London as he prepared to leave for Ireland, examining the way in which the texts and ideas of Messiah respond to the social and intellectual turbulence of the time. Next, they focus on Handel’s relationship with his extraordinary collaborator, Charles Jennens, who conceived the idea of Messiah. They discuss Handel’s arrival in Dublin and how he gathered his forces for his hotly-awaited concert series, the sensational reception of Messiah’s premiere, and the work’s long association with charity. Finally, we hear about the legacy left embedded in Messiah, and how the work has come to mean so much to generations of singers and music lovers long after the deaths of Handel and Jennens.Music featured: Messiah Ode for St Cecilia’s Day (Final movement) Israel in Egypt (excerpts) Saul: Act I ‘How excellent Thy name’ Athalia: Part I Scene 4 ‘Gloomy tyrants, we disdain’ L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato: As steals the morn Alexander’s Feast: Revenge, Timotheus cries Organ Concerto Op 7 No 1 in B flat major, HWV 306 Saul: Act I Scene 5, "O Lord, whose mercies numberless" Utrecht Te Deum, HWV 278 (movements 5 – 10) Samson: Act I, Scene 2 'O first created beam!' Samson: Act II, Scene 1 'Return, O God of hosts!' Belshazzar: Act I, Scene 3Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Amelia Parker 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 George Frideric Handel https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0004dq7And 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