Composer Of The Week

Donald Macleod visits Sally Beamish in her home near Loch Lomond to learn about her life and work.

Donald Macleod explore the life and music of Hubert Parry, regarded as Britain's unofficial composer laureate.

Donald Macleod follows William Walton through the distinct eras of his life and explores the many sides to the man and his music

Donald Macleod surveys Vaughan Williams's operas, a neglected area of his work

Donald Macleod with biographer and musician Olivier Baumont explore the life and work of Francois Couperin. With music performed by Olivier on an original Ruckers harpsichord at the Cobbe Collection

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Robert Schumann. He uses the fascinating first-hand account of a man who knew the Romantic composer well - his first biographer Wilhelm von Wasielewski

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Ferencz Lehar, a naturally gifted melodist and orchestrator and the king of Viennese operetta

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Handel, the German-born composer who arrived in Georgian London just as the fascination for Italian opera was taking hold

Donald Macleod introduces the life and music of Beethoven during the turbulent years from 1806 to 1812, when he produced some of the greatest masterpieces of his life.

Donald Macleod explores the 18th century's longest-running concert series, Le Concert Spirituel, with expert guides Lionel Sawkins and Beverly Wilcox

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Bedrich Smetana, a composer credited with founding a national style of Czech music

Donald Macleod explores the unconventional life and music of Australian-born composer, arranger and pianist Percy Grainger

Donald Macleod is joined by writer and broadcaster Geoffrey Smith to explore the jazz mode of bebop. It emerged in the 1940s, out of different combinations of musicians, styles and places

Donald Macleod and Terry Charman from the Imperial War Museum explore the life and music of Elgar during the First World War, tracing how events affected him

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Alessandro Scarlatti, who is seen as the founder of Neapolitan opera. He appraises the composer's legacy, asking if we should re-evaluate his importance

Donald Macleod is joined by Finnish music expert Tim Howell, to explore the work of Sibelius's contemporaries as Finland was emerging as a state, and some of those who emerged subsequently.

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Ferdinand Herold, Adolphe Adam and Leo Delibes, three French composers who were significant figures in the world of ballet

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Karol Szymanowski

Donald Macleod introduces the life and career of William Schuman - one of the most influential American composers and music administrators of the 20th century.

Donald Macleod begins his story of an unconventional priest, who wrote The Four Seasons, and became one of the most important musical figures of his age