Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Antonio Vivaldi.As a virtuoso violinist, as a teacher, as a priest and as a prolific composer, Antonio Vivaldi was a key figure in Baroque Italy and remai...

26 Juli 20191h 13min

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 Juli 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 Juli 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 Juli 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 Juni 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 Juni 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 Juni 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 Maj 201956min