Episode 2
Donald Macleod focuses on the circumstances surrounding the creation of Dukas's only symphony and considers its significance in French musical history.
As a young man Paul Dukas belonged to a rising generation of French composers who were keen to write instrumental music. He was following in the footsteps of Liszt and Berlioz, and more recently César Franck, whom he admired greatly, Saint-Saëns and Vincent d'Indy, who was an admirer of Dukas's music. He began by writing several symphonic poems, but in 1896 produced his one and only contribution to symphonic form.
Last on
Music Played
![]()
Paul Dukas
Fanfare for before La Péri
Performer: Ulster Orchestra, Yan Pascal Tortelier (conductor)
- Chandos Chan 241-32.
![]()
Paul Dukas
Wagner, transcribed by Dukas
Performer: Bacchanale du Vénusberg, Yukie Nagai and Dag Achatz (pianos)
- BIS CD 976.
- 2.
![]()
Paul Dukas
Symphony in C
Performer: Orchestre National de France, Leonard Slatkin (conductor)
- RCA Red Seal 09026 68802 2.
- 1 to 3.
Broadcasts
- Tue 1 Mar 201112:00BBC Radio 3
- Tue 1 Mar 201122:00BBC Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.
