Music, Life and Changing Times

Available for over a year

This week Kate Molleson meets renowned Japanese conductor Masaaki Suzuki, famed for his interpretations of Bach. She also speaks to Dalia Stasevska, who was appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra in July 2019, about how a chance listening to Madam Butterfly changed her life. The friendship between two composers is the focus of a new book: Kate talks to authors Dr Jenny Doctor and Dr Sophie Fuller about the fascinating letters Elizabeth Maconchy and Grace Williams wrote to each other over the course of fifty years. Plus, Maconchy’s composer daughter Nicola LeFanu’s reaction to the book. And Jessye Norman in her own words: throughout the programme, we hear archive interviews with the American singer who sadly died this week. Producer Helen Garrison