A Meteoric Rise
Donald Macleod talks to Thomas Adès about the music that first propelled him to stardom, while still in his twenties, the composer’s first opera, Powder Her Face.
Donald Macleod talks to Thomas Adès about the music that first propelled him to stardom, while still in his twenties - the composer’s first opera, Powder Her Face.
They also discuss Adès's early years and the influence of his parents on his his creative path, and Thomas recalls the emotional impact of his very first encounter with opera in the music of Bizet’s Carmen.
Hotel Suite from Powder Her Face (Overture)
Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Nicholas Collon, conductor
Gefriolsae Me, Op 3B
Choir of King’s College Cambridge
Robert Quinney, organ
Stephen Cleobury, director
Arcadiana (excerpt)
Calder Quartet
Chamber Symphony
Birmingham Contemporary Music Group
Thomas Adès, conductor
…but all shall be well
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Adès, conductor
Powder Her Face (Act 1, excerpt)
Valdine Anderson (Waitress), soprano
Almeida Ensemble
Thomas Adès, conductor
Produced by Luke Whitlock
On radio
More episodes
Previous
You are at the first episode
Broadcast
- Mon 23 Mar 202616:00BBC 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.
