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Composer of the Week Podcast

BBC Radio 3
Composer of the Week Podcast
Latest episode

675 episodes

  • Composer of the Week Podcast

    Cyril Scott (1879-1970)

    02/10/2026 | 59 mins.
    Donald Macleod explores the life of Cyril Scott.
    Music featured:
    Lotus Land, Op 47 No 1
    Lullaby, Op 57 No 2
    Water Wagtail, Op. 71 No. 3
    Paradise-Birds (Five Poems, No 5)
    Symphony No 1 in G (excerpt)
    Etude, Op 4 No 3
    Piano Quartet in E minor, Op 16
    Three Symphonic Dances, Op 22 (Allegro con brio – Vivace)
    Aubade, Op 77
    Violin Sonata No 1, Op 59 (excerpt)
    Lullaby, Op 57 No 2
    Pierrot triste, Op 35 No 1 (Two Pierrot Pieces)
    Piano Concerto No 1 (Allegro maestoso)
    Soirée japonaise, Op 67 No 4
    Piano Trio No 1 (Rondo giocoso)
    Ballad of Fair Helen of Kirkonnel, Op 8
    Piano Quintet in C, No 1 (excerpt)
    Guitar Sonatina (Finale)
    Violin Concerto (excerpt)
    Spanish Dance
    Neptune – poem of the sea (excerpt)
    Symphony No 3 (Erato: Muse of Love and Poetry)
    Fantasie orientale
    Concerto for oboe and string orchestra (excerpt)
    Victorian Waltz
    Trio in B flat, for clarinet, cello and piano (Rondo capriccioso)
    Symphony No 4 (Adagio)
    Piano Sonata No 3 (Molto tranquillo)
    String Quartet No 2 (excerpt)
    Piano Concerto No 2
    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 Cyril Scott (1879-1970): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0031pym
    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
    Produced by Luke Whitlock
  • Composer of the Week Podcast

    Franz Schubert - The Final Years

    18/09/2026 | 1h 1 mins.
    Kate Molleson explores the last five years of Franz Schubert’s life.
    Music featured:
    Octet in F, D. 803
    Hungarian Melody in B minor, D. 817
    Rosamunde, D797
    String Quartet No. 13 in A minor, D. 804
    Ave Maria, D. 839
    Piano Sonata in A minor, D. 845
    Symphony No. 9 in C, D. 944
    Mass in C, D. 452
    Der Graf von Gleichen, D. 918
    String Quartet in G, D. 887
    Piano Sonata in G, D. 894
    Winterreise, D. 911
    Ständchen, D. 920
    Fantasie in F minor, D. 940
    Tantum ergo, D.962
    String Quintet in C, D. 956
    Piano Sonata in B flat, D. 960
    Piano Quintet in A, D. 667
    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 Franz Schubert - The Final Years: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00317d0
    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
    Produced by Luke Whitlock
  • Composer of the Week Podcast

    Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021)

    15/09/2026 | 1h 7 mins.
    Donald Macleod reflects back on the life and work of a Titan of Musical Theatre.
  • Composer of the Week Podcast

    Sally Beamish

    28/08/2026 | 1h 38 mins.
    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
  • Composer of the Week Podcast

    Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

    21/08/2026 | 1h 13 mins.
    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
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About Composer of the Week Podcast
BBC Radio 3's Composer Of The Week is a guide to composers and their music. The podcast is compiled from the week's programmes and published on Friday. It is only available in the UK.
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