Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
This week, Donald Macleod explores Purcell’s work during his short life in the context of the turbulent times in which he lived. This was a period of intense political and social change, encompassing ...
25 Jun 20211h 7min
Pauline Viardot and her Circle
Donald Macleod explores the life and music of the 19th-century French singer, pianist, composer and influential society figure, Pauline Viardot. “When I want to do something, I do it in spite of water...
18 Jun 20211h 13min
Robert Simpson (1921-97)
Robert Simpson - once described as "Britain's most important composer since Vaughan Williams", and "one of the century's most powerful and original symphonists" - was a man of integrity, a champion of...
4 Jun 20211h 14min
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924)
Donald Macleod explores some of the many turning points in Fauré’s careerGabriel Fauré’s story begins during the second half of the 19th century, when the musical world was dominated by the heavily ro...
21 Mai 202156min
Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Robert Schumann’s early training was focused towards his ambition to become a celebrated concert pianist, but a hand injury quickly put that career option out of reach. Schumann turned instead to comp...
14 Mai 202155min
Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
This week, Donald Macleod explores Aaron Copland’s most productive decade, and features some of his best loved works in full. During this time Copland hit his prime. He became recognised as America’s ...
7 Mai 20211h 7min
Erik Satie (1866-1925)
Donald Macleod explores five aspects of Satie This week, Donald Macleod looks at Satie as a trailblazer and humourist as well as his penchant for composing in threes, his copious, playful and highly i...
30 Apr 20211h 6min
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Donald Macleod explores Chopin’s time in BritainChopin made just two trips to Britain, both in later life. These visits are often portrayed as a disaster - a calamitous mistake of no worth to Chopin w...
23 Apr 20211h 24min
