Robert Schumann

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 gr...

19 Jul 20191h 12min

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 take...

12 Jul 20191h 5min

Donald Macleod tells the story of the loss - and later rediscovery - of CPE Bach’s musicCarl Philipp Emanuel Bach was many things in his lifetime: composer, virtuoso harpsichord player and improviser ...

5 Jul 20191h 4min

Donald Macleod explores “the poet of the piano”, Fryderyk Chopin. Donald starts this week’s episode with a look at how Chopin’s Polish heritage shaped his music. Although he left the country at the ag...

28 Jun 20191h 3min

Donald Macleod on Jacques Offenbach - maestro of the Cancan and much more besides. Today’s episode we meet Offenbach on the brink of defeat – when he decides to launch his own theatre company, ‘Les Bo...

21 Jun 20191h 6min

Donald Macleod introduces six composers who flourished under the rule of Elizabeth I.The composers of 16th century England flourished under the rule of Elizabeth I, rapidly developing a diverse musica...

7 Jun 20191h 11min

Donald Macleod explores the music of Dmitry Shostakovich through the lens of his family life.In this week’s episode, Donald introduces us to Shostakovich - the family man. Turning his attention to the...

24 Mai 201956min

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: ...

10 Mai 20191h 5min