All times in Central
Change
Help

Composer of the Week (Classical)

Visit the show website

Next available on BBC Radio 3 91.3
Donald Macleod explores Albinoni's small but elegant catalogue of chamber music, as well as the state of music publishing in the early 1700s, when piracy was rife.
in 6 hours 9 minutes
Find another station or time for this show on one of 148 other stations & times
Host: Donald Macleod
Composer of the Week is one of Radio 3's longest running programmes, now presented by Donald Macleod.
Add to Presets

Share with others

Genres: Classical
Location: London, United Kingdom
Language: English
Networks: BBC

Last updated 2 days ago Update show info

Recent Topics
Upcoming Shows

Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1750/51), Episode 3

Wed, Dec 9 Listen

Donald Macleod considers Albinoni's important role in the development of the concerto.

Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1750/51), Episode 2

Tue, Dec 8 Listen

Donald Macleod explores Albinoni's operatic output. Only three of them survived intact.

Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1750/51), Episode 1

Mon, Dec 7 Listen

Donald Macleod examines the few known facts of Albinoni's life.

Opera-Comique, Episode 5

Fri, Dec 4 Listen

Donald Macleod explores Opera-Comique on the cusp of the 20th century.

COTW: Opera-Comique 4th December 2009

Fri, Dec 4 Listen

Donald Macleod explores the colourful world of the Parisian Opera-Comique in the 18th century with guest Karen Henson.

Opera-Comique, Episode 4

Thu, Dec 3 Listen

Donald Macleod examines the impact of the Theatre-Lyrique, a rival to the Opera-Comique.

COTW: Moszkowski 27th November 2009

Fri, Nov 27 Listen

This week Donald Macleod uncovers the life and music of a largely forgotten composer, Moritz Moszkowski (1854-1925). A brilliant pianist, Moszkowski was forced to retire from performing early in his career due to a nervous disorder, but went on to become one of the most successful composers of his day of lighter salon music, becoming known as ‘the sunshine composer’.

COTW: Purcell's Contemporaries 20th November 2009

Fri, Nov 20 Listen

Donald Macleod introduces the composers of Restoration England who, from today’s perspective, stand in the shadow of the greatest composer of the era, Henry Purcell.

COTW: Satie 13th November 2009

Fri, Nov 13 Listen

This week, Donald Macleod is “looking for Erik” …revealing a career far more varied – and serious – than you might ever expect. He takes us from Satie’s roots on the sleepy Normandy coast, through his apprenticeship in the boozy dives of Montmartre (where he met Claude Debussy, one of his closest friends), the composer’s tempestuous, poverty-riddled affair with the artist Suzanne Valadon, to his startling decision to go back to music school – at the tender age of 39! By the end of his life,...

COTW: Nielsen 6th November 2009

Fri, Nov 6 Listen

Through his work as conductor, teacher, writer and composer, Carl Nielsen became the most influential Danish musician of his time. He came from modest beginnings on the island of Funen where he got his first proper job, aged 14, as a military musician. This week Donald Macleod explores some of Nielsen’s popular works, such as the choral piece ‘Springtime in Funen’, his Wind Quintet, the witty Flute Concerto, highlights from his two operas ‘Saul and David’ and ‘Maskarade, and takes in some of...

COTW: Musorgsky 30th October 2009

Fri, Oct 30 Listen

Modest Musorgsky was a true musical radical; so radical, in fact, that his immediate contemporaries failed to recognize the full extent of his talent. They regarded his work as brilliant but flawed – full of ‘mistakes’ that cried out for correction by more sophisticated musical intelligences. This week, Donald Macleod explores the life and work of this troubled genius, whose life – and work – were cut cruelly short by chronic alcohol poisoning.

COTW: Kurt Weill 23rd October 2009

Fri, Oct 23 Listen

Donald Macleod assesses Weill’s music in historical context, beginning with the early influences he experienced in Dessau as the son of the local cantor, soaking up the theatrical experiences of Wagner at the local opera house. His first engagement with politics can been seen in his first symphony, a nod musically speaking to Schoenberg, and his lifelong attraction to poetry finds an outlet in a cycle of songs based on German medieval poetry.

COTW: Strauss 16th October 2009

Fri, Oct 16 Listen

Donald Macleod tells the story of the German composer and conductor Richard Strauss (1864-1949). Born soon after the deaths of Wagner and Brahms, Strauss was quickly hailed in his youthful fame as 'the outstanding living composer'.

COTW: Bach 9th October 2009

Fri, Oct 9 Listen

Donald Macleod introduces music and stories from the life of Johann Christian Bach, these days best known as the youngest son of JS Bach, but in his day, the most famous Bach of all.

COTW: Bohuslav Martinu 2nd October 2009

Fri, Oct 2 Listen

Donald Macleod on the life and works of the 20th century Czech composer. He was educated in the Romantic style but embraced the avant-garde as a composer, taking influence from jazz and neo-classicism

COTW: Tavener 25th September 2009

Fri, Sep 25 Listen

Donald Macleod reviews Tavener’s life story and the fascinating spiritual journey he’s taken through his music, from the dramatic cantata based on the biblical allegory of Jonah and the Whale, through pieces inspired by the Eastern Orthodox Church such as the Akhmatova Requiem and The Protecting Veil, to his multi-faith works, including the remarkable seven-hour long ‘Veil of the Temple’. And in there’s a chance to hear the European premiere of his most recent work ‘Towards Silence’,...

COTW: Villa Lobos 18th September 2009

Fri, Sep 18 Listen

Composer of the Week this week examines Heitor Villa-Lobos' life by looking at five of the places that were important to him.

COTW: Bernard Hermann 11th September 2009

Fri, Sep 11 Listen

Donald Macleod charts the fascinating life of Bernard Herrmann, the composer of music for Hitchcock’s “Psycho” and many other groundbreaking film score

COTW: SALIERI 4th September 2009

Fri, Sep 4 Listen

The much maligned composer Antonio Salieri, mainly remembered today for supposedly poisoning Mozart through jealously of the younger composer’s talent, is the focus for this week's Composer of the Week.

COTW: Myaskovsky 28th August 09

Fri, Aug 28 Listen

Nikolai Myaskovsky was referred to by his colleagues and students as "the musical conscience of Moscow". Shostakovich nicknamed him "the Russian Vaughan Williams", yet despite these honourable and significant titles, Myaskovsky died a bitter man, questioning whether his life's work as a composer was worthless. Throughout the week Donald Macleod explores the life and works of Myaskovsky

COTW: Court of James I 21st August 2009

Fri, Aug 21 Listen

Donald Macleod explores the music and musicians of James I/VI through five key moments. This is a repeated Podcast programme first broadcast 10th April 2008

COTW: Carl Orff 14th August 2009

Fri, Aug 14 Listen

Carl Orff's life is shrouded in mystery and confusion, so this week Donald Macleod is joined by Professor Michael Kater, author of 'Composers in the Nazi Era', who has done more than most to unravel the answer to 'Who was Carl Orff?'. They begin by looking at Orff's early years as a composer in Munich,

COTW: TCHAIKOVSKY 7th August 2009

Fri, Aug 7 Listen

This week Donald Macleod takes a series of snapshots of a period that lay at the centre of Tchaikovsky’s creative life, from 1876 to 1890.

COTW: Kodaly 31st July 2009

Fri, Jul 31 Listen

Zoltn Kodly was one of the towering figures of cultural life in Hungary during the 20th century. He lived and worked against a backdrop of unprecedented social and political turbulence. Donald Macleod looks at the composer’s life.

COTW: Ravel 24th July 2009

Sat, Jul 25 Listen

Donald Macleod surveys the music Ravel wrote in connection with the people around him.

COTW: Jonathan Harvey 17th July 2009

Fri, Jul 17 Listen

Donald Macleod explores the music of Jonathan Harvey, in the company of the composer.

COTW: Vivaldi 10th July 2009

Fri, Jul 10 Listen

Vivaldi’s music is hugely popular, but only a tiny proportion of this incredibly prolific composer’s work is widely known. This week, Donald Macleod delves into Vivaldi’s enormous catalogue and discovers a composer of astonishing energy and diversity.

COTW: Schubert 3rd July 2009

Fri, Jul 3 Listen

Donald Macleod continues his exploration of Schubert’s final years, with studio guest Stephen Johnson.

COTW: Stravinsky 26/06/09

Fri, Jun 26 Listen

From 1939 until his death in New York in 1971 Stravinsky made America his home. This week Donald Macleod explores this final chapter of the composer's life, looking at the impact his American experiences had on Stravinsky and his works.

COTW: Music at Versailles 19th June 2009

Fri, Jun 19 Listen

Over the course of the week Donald Macleod tours the Palace, in the company of two of France’s leading Baroque specialists, the director of Le concert Spirituel, Herv Niquet and harpsichordist and musicologist Olivier Baumont, author of “La musique Versailles”. Regular performers at Versailles, they share first hand experiences as they meander through the many rooms where music was enjoyed.

Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1750/51) - Episode 4

today

Donald Macleod explores Albinoni's small but elegant catalogue of chamber music, as well as the state of music publishing in the early 1700s, when piracy was rife.

Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni (1671-1750/51) - Episode 5

tomorrow

Donald Macleod considers the many patrons Albinoni had to ingratiate during his career, from the Marquis of Castelar to Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor.

Louis Spohr (1784-1859) - Episode 1

Mon, Dec 14

With Donald Macleod. Overture, Op 12. Clarinet Concerto No 1. Sonata in C minor for violin and harp. Variations in B flat on a Theme from Alruna.

Louis Spohr (1784-1859) - Episode 2

Tue, Dec 15

Donald Macleod explores Spohr's work in Vienna, where he composed a wide range of fine works, struck out on a concert tour of Europe and befriended Beethoven.

Louis Spohr (1784-1859) - Episode 3

Wed, Dec 16

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Louis Spohr, focusing on his emphatic commitment to opera. Featuring Jessonda (Overture and excerpts); Violin Concerto No 8.

Louis Spohr (1784-1859) - Episode 4

Thu, Dec 17

Donald Macleod considers how Louis Spohr laid the musical foundations for other more famous composers, such as Berlioz, Bruckner, Strauss and Mahler.

Louis Spohr (1784-1859) - Episode 5

Fri, Dec 18

Donald Macleod concludes his exploration of Louis Spohr's life and work, considering some of the works that emerged - against the odds - during the composer's last years.