Branching out
Donald Macleod introduces us to Lutoslawski's alter-ego, Derwid, and explores his conducting career and reaction to both further political unrest in Poland and personal tragedy.
Witold Lutoslawski's extraordinary life mirrors the turbulent history of his homeland Poland, yet he consistently denied the effect of any of this tumult on his music. Donald Macleod is joined this week by Dr Nicholas Reyland to explore the truth of this denial alongside the life and career of one the most revered composers of the Twentieth Century. Wednesday's episode introduces us to the composer's alter-ego, Derwid, and explores Lutoslawaski's conducting career, and his reaction to both further political unrest in Poland and personal tragedy.
"Derwid": Nie oczekuje dzis nikogo (I'm not expecting anyone today)
Rena Rolska (vocals)
Polish Radio Dance Orchestra
Ryszard Damrosz (conductor)
Livre pour Orchestre
Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
Witold Lutoslawski (conductor)
Cello Concerto
Rostropovich (cello)
Orchestre de Paris
Witold Lutoslawski (conductor)
Producer: Sam Phillips.
Last on
Music Played
![]()
Derwid
Nie oczekuje dzis nikogo (I'm not expecting anyone today)
Performer: Rena Rolska. Orchestra: Polish Radio Dance Orchestra. Conductor: Ryszard Damrosz.- POLSKA NOSTALGIA.
![]()
Witold Lutosławski
Livre pour Orchestre
Orchestra: Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Witold Lutosławski.- BRILLIANT CLASSICS : 9011/2.
- BRILLIANT CLASSICS.
- 1.
![]()
Witold Lutosławski
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra
Performer: Mstislav Rostropovich. Orchestra: Orchestre de Paris – Philharmonie. Conductor: Witold Lutosławski.- EMI : CDC-749304-2.
- EMI.
- 1.
Broadcasts
- Wed 24 Jan 201812:00BBC Radio 3
- Wed 27 Feb 201912:00BBC 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.
