Composer of the Week Podcast Folgen

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of the ‘English Bach’Composer of the Week explores the life and music of the ‘English Bach’, Johann Christian Bach, whose blending of German technique with Italian lyricism, in his music, made him not only the leading composer in London but a favourite too with the likes of Mozart. He was the youngest son of J.S. Bach, and the first of Bach’s numerous sons to visit Italy where he had lessons with Padre Martini. J.C. Bach spent much time composing sacred music whilst in Italy but he soon got the opera bug and it was a commission for the Haymarket theatre in London which enticed him to travel to England where he remained based for the rest of his life. Bach became a music tutor to members of the Royal family and his operas were soon wowing London audiences. He also set up a famous series of London concerts with another musician, C.F. Abel. Celebrated singers of the age all wanted to perform arias by Bach, and when the Mozart family visited London, Bach became a mentor to the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. J.C. Bach also produced operas for European stages in Paris and Mannheim, and his works became so popular that many pirated editions appeared in print during his lifetime.Music Featured: Symphony in G minor, Op 6 No 6 (excerpt) Magnificat a 4 in C, W E 22 (excerpt) Harpsichord Concerto in F minor, W C73 Laudate pueri, W E 19 (excerpt) Sinfonia in D, Op 3 No 1 Artaserse, T. 217 (Vo solcando un mar crudele) Catone in Utica, W G2 (Overture) Beatus vir, W E 17 (excerpt) Non so d’onde viene (Ezio) Zanaida, W G5 (Overture) Zanaida (Tortorella abbandonata) Keyboard Concerto in D, Op 1 No 6, W C54 Sinfonia in G, Op 3 No 6 Hither turn thy wand’ring eyes Smiling Venus Sextet in C (Allegro) J. C. Bach, arr. W. A. Mozart: Concerto in D Adriano in Siria, T 211 (Cara, la dolce fiamma) Sonata for in G, Op 15 No 5 W A21 Adriano in Siria, T. 211 (Tutti nemici, e rei) Berenice (Confusa, smarrita) Oboe Concerto No 1 in F major, W. C80 (Allegro) Carattaco, T 221 (Fra l’orrore) Endimione, W G 15 (Semplicetto, ancor non sai) Symphony in E flat, Op 9 No 2, W. C19 Temistocle, T 238 (Ch’io parta) Temistocle, T 238 (Overture: Presto) La legge accetto, o Dei, T 234 (Orfeo ed Euridice) Quintet in D, Op 11 No 6 (Allegro) La Clemenza di Scipione, T 229 (Me infelice che intendo) Amadis de Gaule (A qui pourrai-je avoir recours) Missa Da Requiem (excerpt) Keyboard Sonata, Op 17 No 5Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke WhitlockFor 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 Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001mv5pAnd 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 Gioachino RossiniGioachino Rossini, born in Italy in 1792, began writing music at the age of 12. His first opera was performed when he was eighteen and he wrote 37 more in the span of 20 years. Then, at the peak of his fame, the composer suddenly disappeared from the public eye. What led him to this moment? This week, Donald Macleod traces Rossini's career, from his humble beginnings as the son of a horn player, learning to write music in order to support his family, to travelling the world and rubbing shoulders with royalty. We'll hear the truth behind his mysterious retirement and discover what made him return to composing, at the very end of his life.Music Featured: Il barbiere di Siviglia, Act I: Cavatina: Largo al factotum della citta La cambiale di matrimonio (excerpt) Sonata a quattro No 2 in A Major Sinfonia in D - "al Conventello” Il Signor Bruschino (Sinfonia; N.3 Cavatina: "Nel teatro del gran mondo”) Tancredi "Oh patria!... Tu che accendi questo core... Di tanti palpiti” Elisabetta, regina d’Inghilterra (Overture; "Misera! A quale stato”) Il barbiere di Siviglia (Overture; "Una voce poco fa”) Otello Act III (excerpt) Mosè in Egitto (excerpts) Ermione Overture Semiramide (excerpts) Le siège de Corinthe Overture Guillaume Tell Overture Soirées Musicales Stabat Mater (Stabat Mater dolorosa; Amen) Musique anodine Péchés de vieillesse Vol 9 Petite messe solennelle (I. Kyrie; XVIII. Agnus Dei)Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Alice McKeeFor 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 Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001md7bAnd 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 explores the life and music of Domenico ScarlattiDomenico Scarlatti was well placed to build himself a glittering career in the music business. He was prestigiously talented and born into a family with powerful connections in the music business. His home city of Naples was a major centre for the fashionable new art form of opera. But there were challenges, too. Competition was fierce and musicians often found their fates helplessly tied to the fickle fortunes of their aristocratic patrons. On top of all that, Domenico faced another, distinctly personal, test to his career aspirations; he was working in the shadow of a much more celebrated Scarlatti – his own father! It would take several decades, and more than a few changes of direction, before Domenico finally found his right path, becoming one of the baroque period’s most significant composers. Today, he’s rightly revered for the extraordinary catalogue of over 550 keyboard sonatas he left to posterity. This week, Kate Molleson traces Scarlatti's story and looks at what else there is to discover in his legacy alongside his celebrated keyboard works.Music Featured:Sonata in D, K 96 Sonata in Dm, K 9 Sonata in E, K 20 Antra, valles, divo plaudeant Sinfonia in C Sinfonia in G Sonata in Am, K 109 Sonata in A, K 279 Sonata in G, K 425 Amor d'un Ombra e Gelosia d'un'aura (excerpts) O qual meco: Sinfonia & Aria, ‘Per che non dirmial meno’ Sonata in Dm, K 32 Sonata in C, K 308 Sonata in Gm, K196 Sonata in G, K 284 Messa breve 'La Stella': Kyrie La Dirindina (extract from Scene 1) Sonata in D, K 443 Sonata in F, K 17 Stabat Mater Contesa della stagione: VIII. ‘Giorno felice’…‘Sia dolce e caro e grato’ Sonata in A, K 39 Sonata in A, K 208 Sonata in Am, K 175 Laetatus sum Sonata in Eb, K 434 Sonata in Eb, K 475 Missa quatuor vocum, Gloria, Sanctus & Benedictus, Agnus Dei Pur nel sonno almen tal’ora: (extracts) Avison: Concerto grosso after Scarlatti, No. 5 in Dm (extracts) Salve Regina in A Sonata in Cm, K11 Sonata in G, K547Presented by Kate Molleson Produced by Johannah Smith 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 Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001m56gAnd 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