Composer Of The Week

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Mascagni, who triumphed in his early twenties with his opera Cavalleria Rusticana and, during his lifetime, was one of the most famous figures in Italy

Donald Macleod explores the charming and eccentric variety of later works by Camille Saint-Saens

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Benjamin Benjamin Britten for the 100th anniverary of the composer's birth. From humdrum origins, he rose to be the pre-eminent British composer of his day.

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Bill Evans, the 'poet of the piano' and the 'Chopin of jazz'. He came to prominence working with Miles Davis and played with Tony Bennett and Stan Getz

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of composer, author and women's rights champion Ethel Smyth

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Haydn through another musical form apart from the symphony that the composer made his own, his music for trio

Donald Macleod explores the work of Lully, the pre-eminent composer of the French court in the late 17th century, the founding father of French opera and a leading figure in the music of his era.

Donald Macleod, with the help of experts Marcia Citron of Rice University and Karen Henson of Columbia University, explores the life and work of Cecile Chaminade and Augusta Holmes

Donald Macleod explores Verdi's later life and music when, after years of honing his craft, he propelled opera from the world of the 19th century into the modern age

Donald Macleod is joined by writer and film music expert John Huckvale to explore British film music. Covering over eight decades, their focus embraces Ealing comedy, Hammer horror, jazz and rock

"Sound of Cinema" continues as Donald Macleod explores the soundtrack of The Golden Age of Hollywood, in the company of conductor and film music expert, John Wilson.

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Christoph Willibald Gluck, seen as having 'reformed' opera in the second half of the 18th century, rescuing it from the excesses of the opera seria style

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Antonin Dvorak.

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, from his early years to his famous silent period

Donald Macleod recalls the story of the Royal Philharmonic Society - and the remarkable roll-call of commissions and world premieres given by the Society during its two centuries of existence

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Robert Schumann, who drew his inspiration as much from literature and the dramas of his own life as from the music of the composers he revered

Donald Macleod explores the life and works of Russia's most popular Romatic composer.

Donald Macleod explores Ravel's life and music in context with his friends in the artistic group Les Apaches. As well as Ravel, there is music by Maurice Delage, Déodat de Séverac and Florent Schmitt

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of George Lloyd, the English Romantic composer who never stopped writing tunes, long after they had gone out of fashion.

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of the 'quintessentially English' Edward Elgar, a composer who nevertheless had musical roots firmly in Europe