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Composer of the WeekEpisodes

  1. Today16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    MacdowellAmy Beach (1867-1944)

    4/5Donald Macleod explores Amy Beach's experiences at the MacDowell Colony.

  2. Tomorrow16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    ManhattanAmy Beach (1867-1944)

    5/5Donald Macleod explores the 1930s when Amy Beach moved to Manhattan.

  3. Monday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    National Defiance in MusicJean Sibelius (1865-1957)

    1/5Kate Molleson charts the influences upon the early symphonies of Sibelius.

  4. Tuesday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Classical MasterJean Sibelius (1865-1957)

    2/5Kate Molleson surveys the Third Symphony by Sibelius and the period it was composed.

  5. Next Wednesday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    A Psychological SymphonyJean Sibelius (1865-1957)

    3/5Kate Molleson follows the creation of the Fourth Symphony by Sibelius amid much self-doubt

  6. Next Thursday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    A Depiction of SwansJean Sibelius (1865-1957)

    4/5Kate Molleson delves into the iconic Fifth Symphony by Jean Sibelius.

  7. Next Friday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    New Symphonic TerritoryJean Sibelius (1865-1957)

    5/5Kate Molleson follows Sibelius in the creation of his Sixth and Seventh Symphonies.

  8. Mon 9 Mar 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Grandfather of New Zealand MusicNew Zealand Composers

    1/5Donald Macleod explores five classical composers from New Zealand - today Douglas Lilburn.

  9. Tue 10 Mar 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Pushing BoundariesNew Zealand Composers

    2/5Donald Macleod explores five classical composers from New Zealand - today Jenny McLeod.

  10. Wed 11 Mar 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Whale-song and Māori GoddessesNew Zealand Composers

    3/5Donald Macleod explores five composers from New Zealand - today Dame Gillian Whitehead.

  11. Thu 12 Mar 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Greek Mythology and PercussionNew Zealand Composers

    4/5Donald Macleod explores five classical composers from New Zealand - today John Psathas.

  12. Fri 13 Mar 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Sounds of the Sea and GamelanNew Zealand Composers

    5/5Donald Macleod explores five classical composers from New Zealand - today Gareth Farr.

  13. Mon 16 Mar 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Onwards and UpwardsGaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)

    1/5Donald Macleod charts Donizetti’s rise from an underground cellar to his operatic debut.

  14. Tue 17 Mar 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    High Notes and Low EbbsGaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)

    2/5Donald Macleod pursues Donizetti’s story as he writes about, and falls in, love.

  15. Wed 18 Mar 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Headaches and HeartbreakGaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)

    3/5Donald Macleod sees Donizetti battle censorship and successive family tragedies.

  16. Thu 19 Mar 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    A French ResolutionGaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)

    4/5Donald Macleod follows Donizetti’s move to Paris, in search of artistic freedom.

  17. Fri 20 Mar 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Final ActGaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)

    5/5Donald Macleod tells the story of Donizetti’s prolific and dramatic late years.