Composer of the Week Podcast Folgen

Donald Macleod surveys the life and work of Nikolai Rimsky-KorsakovRimsky-Korsakov’s music is filled with lush orchestration and hints of orientalism and folk music. These elements and his role as a leading member of “The Mighty Handful” of composers who sought to forge a truly nationalistic music have led him to be regarded as the main architect of the Russian style of composition we know today. We hear about Rimsky Korsakov’s lifelong relationship with the sea, his fascination with myths and folklore, the acts of rebellion which pepper his life, his changing religious beliefs and his carefully constructed legacy.Music featured: By the Sea, Op 46: The Wave Breaks into a Spray Scheherazade (I. The Sea and Sinbad’s Ship) From Homer Op.60 Symphony No 1 (II. Andante tranquillo) Sadko, Op. 6 Trombone Concerto (I. Allegro Vivace) Captivated by the Rose, the Nightingale (4 Songs, Op 2 No 2) Antar: IV. Allegretto - Adagio Skazka, Op 29 Capriccio Espagnol, Op 34 Hymn to the Sun from The Golden Cockerel Allegro in B flat major (Les Vendredis, Book II) Overture on Russian Themes, Op 28 Symphony No 3: II. Scherzo Kashchey the Immortal: Tableau 3 Suite from “The Golden Cockerel”: IV. Wedding Feast – Death of King Dodon - Finale Octave (5 Songs “To the Poet”, Op 45) May Night: Overture Snow Maiden: Act IV Finale Russian Easter Festival Overture Chants for Holy Week The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh and the Maiden Fevroniya Suite: I. Hymn to Nature Flight of the Bumblebee (Tsar Saltan) Maid of Pskov – Overture Night on the Bare Mountain Polonaise (Christmas Eve Suite) Mlada: Act III, Scenes 2 and 3 Mozart & Salieri: Scene 2 (extract) Upon the hills of Georgia, Op 3 Presenter: Donald Macleod Producer: Sam Phillips for BBC WalesFor full tracklistings, 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 Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0001n89And 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 delves into the character and music of Camille Saint-SaënsThis week’s episode begins with a look at Saint-Saëns the innovator, who introduced new-fangled ideas to an opera-loving Parisian public. Donald investigates the driving force behind the composer’s unstoppable ambition and his dogged determination to find an audience for his music. Next, the playful side of Saint-Saëns’ character - one which he kept under wraps in public, yet amongst friends and in private correspondence he sparkled with wit, and it reveals itself in some of his most popular and enduring music. We hear about the many obstacles Saint-Saëns encountered in his attempts to be recognised as a serious operatic composer, and finally, the composer’s critical views on emerging musical trends in the final decades of his life, when he was condemned as a reactionary for his outmoded attitudes.Music featured: Guitares et mandolines Havanaise Piano Trio No 1 in F, Op 18 (1st mvt) Piano Concerto No 2 Danse Macabre Tarantelle Piano Quintet in A minor Op 14 (final mvt) Cello Concerto No 1 Septet La Cigale et la Fourmi Wedding Cake Waltz La Coccinelle Suzette et Suzon Tournoiement ‘Songe d’opium’ Six Studies for the Left Hand, Op 135 (Nos 4, 5 & 6) Le Carnaval des Animaux La Princesse Jaune: Overture O Cruel Souvenir (Henry VIII) Samson et Dalila: Act II (excerpt) Bacchanale (Samson et Dalila) Proserpine: Act II (excerpt) L’Assassinat du Duc de Guise (5th tableau) Fantaisie for violin and harp Piano Concerto No 5 (1st mvt) Romance for flute and piano Organ Symphony (2nd mvt)Presenter: Donald Macleod Producer: Deborah Preston for BBC WalesFor full tracklistings, 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 Camille Saint-Saëns: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0001d2qAnd 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 looks at five key environments that shaped Billy Strayhorn's personal and musical trajectory.Donald starts the journey in Homewood, Pittsburgh, where Billy Strayhorn’s early life was over-shadowed by poverty and a violent father. Over six years of toil as a “soda jerk and delivery boy” he saved up for music college, but an Art Tatum record showed him that everything he loved about classical music was there in one form or another in jazz. Strayhorn cut free and moved to New York, where his path crossed with Duke Ellington. He was quick to discover an exciting new world of opportunity, playing and writing for Ellington’s famous band – a complex relationship that continued for almost thirty years. Work took him to Hollywood - Donald explores the reasons why this turned out to be both an opportunity and a source of disillusionment. We also hear of Strayhorn’s love affair with Paris, the city where he found the night-life and the artistic independence he craved, and where he was given the chance to record his first album under his own name. Finally, Donald charts the ups and many downs of Strayhorn's final years, which he spent in Riverside Drive, New York.Music featured: Take the “A” Train Lush Life Valse Something to Live For Fantastic Rhythm Suite for the Duo My little Brown Book The Hues Snibor Tonk Passion Flower Your Love has faded Three and Six Grouya/Anderson, arr. Strayhorn: Flamingo Chelsea Bridge Strayhorn/Ellington: The Perfume Suite Clementine Ellington/Strayhorn/Gaines: Just a-sittin' and a rockin' Rain Check Pentonsilic You're the One Tchaikovsky, arr Strayhorn: The Nutcracker Suite Boo-dah Ballad for very tired and very sad lotus eaters Johnny Come Lately Satin Doll Music for The Love of Don Perlimplin for Belisa in their Garden The Newport Jazz Festival Suite Multicoloured Blue Day Dream UMMG Ellington/Strayhorn: Smada Cue's Blue Now Far East Suite Blood Count Cashmere Cutie Le Sacre Supreme Lotus Blossom Presenter: Donald Macleod Producer: Johannah Smith for BBC WalesFor full tracklistings, 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 Billy Strayhorn: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00016tc 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