British Light Music

Donald Macleod explores the world of Ethel Smyth through five love affairs British composer Dame Ethel Smyth was one of the early 20th century’s most original cultural voices. A prodigious musical tal...

2 Aug 20241h 5min

Kate Molleson sheds light on the forgotten composer, Silvestre RevueltasSilvestre Revueltas was a blazingly energetic and politically charged musician, a whirlwind of a composer who lived through a ti...

26 Jul 20241h 27min

Donald Macleod shines a light on charming and often enigmatic composer, Thomas Linley JnrEnglish composer, Thomas Linley the Younger was destined to become one of the brightest musical stars of eighte...

12 Jul 20241h 20min

Donald Macleod explores key figures in Richard Strauss’s lifeThis week, Donald Macleod explores key figures in the life of Richard Strauss, including his librettist, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, his “domine...

5 Jul 20241h 4min

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of American composer, Lou Harrison Lou Silver Harrison was an American, multi-faceted composer who died in 2003. In his music he explored a synthesis of Asia...

28 Jun 20241h 15min

Kate Molleson explores five windows onto Dvořák’s soulAntonín Dvořák was one of the most heartfelt tunesmiths in classical music - a man who not only brought the sound of Czech folklore to the world, ...

21 Jun 20241h 9min

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Orlando GibbonsOrlando Gibbons’s life throws a light on the political turbulence affecting Britain in the early 17th century. As King James VI and I strugg...

14 Jun 20241h 16min

Donald Macleod & Dr Jennifer Martyn explore the remarkable, tragic story of gifted violinist and composer, Amanda Maier Amanda Maier was one of the 19th century’s most brilliant musicians, yet whose s...

7 Jun 20241h 3min