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Composer of the Week

An informative and accessible guide to composers' lives and their music.

Radio 3,24 episodes

Episodes

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Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
In the Beginning
Copland’s American dream starts in Brooklyn. With Donald Macleod
05 Jan 2026,59 mins
Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
Aaron in Paris
Copland meets Nadia Boulanger and faces the critics. With Donald Macleod.
06 Jan 2026,59 mins
Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
An American Sound
Copland forges a bold new American voice. With Donald Macleod
07 Jan 2026,59 mins
Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
Friends and Foes
Copland makes allies and enemies. With Donald Macleod.
08 Jan 2026,59 mins
Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
Maestro
From composing to baton-wielding and beyond. With Donald Macleod.
09 Jan 2026,59 mins
Icons of British Light Music
Born of the Theatre
Donald Macleod explores how light music emerged from the theatres of late-1800s Britain.
28 Aug 2023,59 mins
Icons of British Light Music
Oh I do like to be beside the seaside
Donald Macleod explores how light music took over the holiday resorts of Britain.
29 Aug 2023,59 mins
Icons of British Light Music
The Talkies
Donald Macleod explores the use of British light music in cinema.
30 Aug 2023,59 mins
Icons of British Light Music
An audience of millions
Donald Macleod explores the impact of radio on the British light music scene.
31 Aug 2023,59 mins
Icons of British Light Music
Finding a new stage
Donald Macleod explores the composers who fought to keep light music alive.
01 Sep 2023,59 mins
A Georgian Christmas
At home with Jane Austen
Donald Macleod discovers the seasonal customs and Christmas music of late-Georgian Britain
22 Dec 2025,59 mins
A Georgian Christmas
Winter Balls
Donald Macleod discovers the seasonal customs and Christmas music of late-Georgian Britain
23 Dec 2025,59 mins
A Georgian Christmas
Church and Country
Donald Macleod discovers the seasonal customs and Christmas music of late-Georgian Britain
24 Dec 2025,59 mins
A Georgian Christmas
Family Entertainments
Donald Macleod discovers the seasonal customs and Christmas music of late-Georgian Britain
25 Dec 2025,59 mins
A Georgian Christmas
Servants and Soldiers
Donald Macleod discovers the seasonal customs and Christmas music of late-Georgian Britain
26 Dec 2025,59 mins
Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953)
The Soviet Storyteller
Kate Molleson unwraps Prokofiev’s childhood of fairytales and fantasy.
15 Dec 2025,59 mins
Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953)
From Duckling to Swan
Kate Molleson follows Prokofiev from bleak classrooms to concert platforms.
16 Dec 2025,59 mins
Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953)
To New York with Love
Kate Molleson follows Prokofiev’s journey from Russian storms to Broadway lights.
17 Dec 2025,59 mins
Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953)
Love, Loss and Three Oranges
Kate Molleson tells Prokofiev’s life-changing love story.
18 Dec 2025,59 mins
Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953)
The Prodigal Son
Prokofiev encounters snow, Shakespeare and the Soviet Union. With Kate Molleson.
19 Dec 2025,59 mins
A Medieval Christmas
The Cult of the Virgin
Donald Macleod presents songs for Mary and lullabies to the infant Jesus.
07 Dec 2023,59 mins
A Medieval Christmas
Carols and Revelries
Donald Macleod presents seasonal music for dancing, feasting and social occasions.
08 Dec 2023,59 mins
Mary Lou Williams (1910-1981)
Mary Lou Williams
Donald Macleod charts the extraordinary life of jazz composer & pianist Mary Lou Williams
22 Nov 2019,67 mins
CPE Bach (1714-1788)
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
Donald Macleod tells the story of the loss and later rediscovery of CPE Bach’s music
28 Jun 2019,64 mins