A bid for freedom
Donald explores the life of Delius through five relationships. In today's programme, as pressure from his father mounts, the young composer makes a break for it.
Donald Macleod meets the people who found themselves bewitched by Frederick Delius - both the man and his music.
In today's programme, Delius' father puts pressure on his son to join the family business: the wool trade. A strict disciplinarian, Delius Sr doesn't see music as a serious career to pursue, so he puts the young composer to work as a salesman. Meanwhile, Delius hatches a plan to make a break for it.
On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring
BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis
North Country Sketches, III. Dance
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Richard Hickox
Florida Suite: III. Sunset – Near the Plantation
English Northern Philharmonia, conducted by David Lloyd-Jones
Violin Sonata No. 3: Movts 2 & 3
Tasmin Little, violin
Piers Lane, piano
Violin Sonata No. 1, 2nd part: With vigour and animation
Tasmin Little, violin
Piers Lane, piano
Paa Vidderne (On the Mountains)
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis
Produced by Chris Taylor for BBC Audio
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Music Played
![]()
Frederick Delius
On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring
Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Andrew Davis.- TELDEC : 4509- 90845-2.
- TELDEC.
- 5.
![]()
Frederick Delius
North Country Sketches (No 3, Dance)
Orchestra: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Richard Hickox.- CHANDOS : CHAN-10913X.
- CHANDOS.
- 7.
![]()
Frederick Delius
Florida Suite (3rd mvt, Sunset)
Performer: Orchestra of Opera North. Conductor: David Lloyd‐Jones.- NAXOS : 8.553535-.
- NAXOS.
- 3.
![]()
Frederick Delius
Violin Sonata No 3 (2nd & 3rd mvts)
Performer: Tasmin Little. Performer: Piers Lane.- MASTERWORKS : G010001806661L.
- MASTERWORKS.
- 8.
![]()
Frederick Delius
Paa Vidderne
Orchestra: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Andrew Davis.- CHANDOS : CHSA-5131.
- CHANDOS.
- 2.
Broadcast
- Tue 19 Aug 202516:00BBC 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.
