Composer of the Week Podcast

Donald Macleod reflects back on the life and work of a Titan of Musical Theatre.

Donald Macleod joins Sally Beamish at her home on the south coast of England to celebrate her 70th birthday. Across a lifetime in music, Beamish has combined careers as performer and composer, drawing inspiration from places, people and collaborations along the way. From a musical childhood in post-war London and her early years as a violist, to a transformative move to Scotland and a growing international reputation as a composer, Beamish reflects on the experiences that have shaped her creative life. Folk traditions, landscape, birdsong and long-standing creative relationships all play a part, as she looks back on a remarkable career and ahead to new projects.
Presented by Donald Macleod
Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales
Music featured includes:
April
Crescent
The Wise Maid
Gerropaedie
Partita
The Naming of Birds: III. Carduelis Cannabina, Emberiza Calendra
Seavaigers
Cello Sonata: II. Scherzo-Allegro
Trance
The Day Dawn
Stone, Salt and Sky: Processional
Gala Water
Piobaireachd
The Singing
First Peace
Viola Concerto No. 1
City Stanzas (Piano Concerto No. 3): Burlesque
Bridging the Day
Trinculo
Sally's Tune
Prelude and Canon
Night Songs
Pavan
Caliban
Spinal Chords
For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Sally Beamish: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00309fv
And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

Kate Molleson follows Felix Mendelssohn's journeys across Europe, tracing how travel shaped one of the nineteenth century's most gifted musical minds. From a privileged upbringing in Berlin and early encounters with Goethe, through concert tours in Britain and adventures in Scotland and Italy, Mendelssohn absorbed new landscapes, cultures and ideas wherever he went. Alongside artistic inspiration came professional opportunities, influential friendships and the challenge of establishing himself as a composer on his own terms. Returning to Germany after years on the road, he channelled these experiences into some of his most celebrated music while helping to shape the country's musical life through his work in Leipzig.
Presented by Kate Molleson
Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales
Music featured includes:
Symphony No. 4 in A major "Italian", Op. 90
Rondo capriccioso in E major, Op. 14
Overture to A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 21
Piano Quartet in F minor, Op. 2: Adagio
Octet in E flat major, Op. 20: Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 11 (1829 London Version): Scherzo
Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, Op. 27
Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 11: Allegro di molto
Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten
Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25: I & II
Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 "Scottish": II. Vivace non troppo and IV. Allegro vivacissimo – Allegro maestoso assai
Hebrides Overture, Op. 26
Fantasia in F sharp minor, Op. 28 "Scottish Sonata"
Three Fantasies (or Caprices), Op. 16
Venetian Gondola Song
Ave Maria
Symphony No. 5 in D major "Reformation", Op. 107: IV. Chorale "Ein feste Burg"
Psalm 115, Nicht unserm Namen, Herr, Op. 31
Symphony No. 4 in A major "Italian", Op. 90: III & IV
String Quintet No. 1 in A major, Op. 18: III. Adagio e lento
Songs Without Words, Book I, Op. 19b
Trumpet Overture, Op. 101
Paulus, Op. 36, Part I: "Herr! Der du bist der Gott"
Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64: I. Allegro molto appassionato
For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Felix Mendelssohn: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m003029d
And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

Kate Molleson tells Mozart’s story through five of the relationships that shaped the composer and his music - from his friends and family to a mentor and a supposed rival.
Symphony no. 35, K385 ‘Haffner’
Violin Concerto No. 1 in B flat, K207
Concerto for Flute Harp and orchestra in C, K299
Symphony no. 31 D major, K297 'Paris'
Idomeneo
Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K466
Concerto for Two pianos no. 10 in E flat major, K365
Exsultate Jubilate
Symphony No. 29 in A major, K201
Vespers sollennes de confessore in C, K339
Sonata for Piano Four hands in D major, K381
String Quartet no. 20 in D Major, K499 ‘Hoffmeister’
Symphony no. 36, K425 ‘Linz’
String Quartet no. 19 in C major, K465 ‘Dissonance’
Fantasia in C minor, K475
Symphony no. 41 in C Major, K551 'Jupiter'
Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail - Overture
Der Schauspieldirektor, K486: Da Schlägt die Abschiedsstunde
Piano Concerto no. 24 in C minor, K491
Così fan tutte
Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Clarinet concerto in A major, K622
Masonic funeral music in C minor, K477
Trio in E flat for clarinet viola and piano, K498 'Kegelstatt'
The Magic Flute: Overture
The Magic Flute: Finale
Requiem in D minor. K626
Presented by Kate Molleson
Produced by Megan Jones for BBC Wales Audio
For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002ztsh
And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z.

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of George Frideric Handel through the patrons, employers and institutions that helped shape his career. From the aristocratic circles of Italy and the court of Hanover to royal favour in Britain and the charitable culture of Dublin, Handel proved adept at navigating the worlds on which composers depended. Yet he remained unusually independent, moving between courts, theatres and concert halls while steadily building a career on his own terms. Along the way, patronage could offer opportunity, security and prestige, but it also brought rivalries, competing loyalties and political complications. Through sacred music, opera, anthem and oratorio, this podcast traces how Handel responded to the people and places that supported his work.
Music featured includes extracts from:
Dixit Dominus, HWV 232
Tu fedel? Tu costante?, HWV 171a: Recitative and aria
Rodrigo, HWV 5: Overture; recitative and aria
Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno, HWV 46a: Overture
Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno, HWV 46a: "Pure del cielo"
La Resurrezione, HWV 47
Eternal Source of Light Divine, HWV 74
Nine German Arias, HWV 202–210: No. 6, "In den angenehmen Büschen"
Rinaldo, HWV 7a: Overture
Silla, HWV 10: Overture
Il pastor fido, HWV 8a: "Sol nel mezzo risona del core"
Water Music Suite No. 2 in D major, HWV 349
Acis and Galatea, HWV 49a: "Love sounds th'alarm"
As Pants the Hart, HWV 251b
Acis and Galatea, HWV 49a: Sinfonia
Esther, HWV 50a
Coronation Anthem: Zadok the Priest, HWV 258
Coronation Anthem: My Heart Is Inditing, HWV 261
Riccardo Primo, HWV 23: Act III Chorus
Atalanta, HWV 35: Overture
Alexander's Feast, HWV 75
Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline, HWV 264
Messiah, HWV 56: Sinfonia
L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: "Sweet Bird"
Imeneo, HWV 41
Messiah, HWV 56: Part III
Foundling Hospital Anthem, HWV 268
Presented by Donald Macleod
Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales
For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for George Frideric Handel (1685-1759): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002yxkn.
And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z.