Maddalena Sirmen and her World
Donald Macleod delves into the world of Venetian composer, Maddalena SirmenMaddalena Sirmen was born in Venice in 1745 and christened Maddalena Laura Lombardini. Her poverty-stricken family were unabl...
23 Feb 20241h
Karl Jenkins
Karl Jenkins has had a career of contrasts – from accomplished jazz fusion, prog rock and the worlds of film and advertising, to phenomenal success in concert halls around the world as a composer of m...
16 Feb 20241h 9min
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
Kate Molleson explores the legends and lore of Igor StravinskyMusic Featured: Rite of Spring Fireworks Three Movements from Petrushka (Russian Dance) The Firebird: Infernal Dance The Rite of Spring,...
2 Feb 20241h 7min
Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880)
Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Jacques Offenbach Jacques Offenbach’s life throws a light on the political turbulence and identity within 19th century Europe. He struggled to break into ...
26 Jan 20241h 10min
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
Donald Macleod explores Mendelssohn’s experience in the British IslesMendelssohn’s relationship with Britain began when he was 20 years old, when London became the first stop of his Grand Tour. This w...
19 Jan 20241h 5min
Caroline Shaw
Kate Molleson talks to Pulitzer Prize winning composer, Caroline Shaw At the age of just 30, in 2013 American composer Caroline Shaw made the headlines when she became the youngest person to win a Pul...
5 Jan 20241h 27min
Greatest Showstoppers
The 19th century was an exciting time for classical musicians. Urban centres across Europe and the New World were expanding rapidly, creating a profitable music circuit for touring performers – partic...
29 Dec 20231h 5min
A Vaughan Williams Christmas
“I’ve always loved carols,” Vaughan Williams wrote to Cecil Sharp in 1911. Despite being called a “most determined atheist” by Bertrand Russell at University, and in later life “a cheerful agnostic”, ...
22 Dec 20231h 18min
