Composer Of The Week

As part of the BBC's focus on opera in 2010, Donald Macleod explores the rich tradition of Russian opera, from Glinka in the early 19th century to Schnittke in the late 20th

Donald Macleod explores Bach's six years in service at the court of Cothen. It gave him the opportunity to explore fresh musical ground and open himself up to new styles of music making

The MacDowell Colony was founded in 1907 by the American composer Edward MacDowell and his pianist wife Marian. America's first artistic residency programme has played host to more than six thousand artists. As part of its centenary year celebrations, in 2007 Donald Macleod was allowed exclusive access to the colony set in its own grounds in New Hampshire, USA. There he meets composer Stewart Wallace, working on his opera The Bonesetter's Daughter, and Blake Tewksbury, an authority on the MacDowell Colony.

Donald Macleod and musicologist, harpsichordist and conductor William Christie explore the life and work of Andre Campra, to mark the 350th anniversary of the French composer's birth

Donald Macleod explores the work of Moeran, who was a pioneer in the collecting of British folk music. Greatly influenced by Delius and Vaughan Williams, much of Moeran's output is inspired by nature

Donald Macleod explores the history and music connected with the Drottningholm Opera House in Stockholm. It flourished in the 18th century, especially during the reign of King Gustavus III

Donald Macleod explores Benjamin Britten's music in the light of two enduring influences - his life partner, the tenor Peter Pears and his beloved native county of Suffolk

Donald Macleod investigates many aspects of Haydn's turbulent personality, including commercial opportunism, double dealing, penny pinching and matrimonial misery

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

Donald Macleod talks exclusively to one of the world's most celebrated living composers, Steve Reich, and presents music spanning his remarkable musical career

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of French composer Darius Milhaud. Once a member of the influential group Les Six, he was prolific, but known for a handful of works.

Donald Macleod explores rarities from a 'lost decade' in Tchaikovsky's life.

Donald Macleod explores the life and controversial work of Richard Wagner. His life was every bit as much of a titanic saga as the epic music dramas which he created.

Tallis - musical genius of the English Tudor age: Donald Macleod presents highlights from five Composer of the Week episodes exploring the life and work of Thomas Tallis. Tallis worked at the hub of English church music, the Chapel Royal, for forty years during which the country shuddered with political and religious upheaval. Music was one of the battlegrounds, with significant risks attached for its practitioners. Through it all, Tallis turned out piece after piece of glorious music, seemingly unperturbed when all the rules changed and changed again. Tallis delicately negotiated the move from elaborate, large-scale Catholic works of the early sixteenth century to a plainer style under Edward.

Albéniz: Piano music - in its original form and a variety of other guises. Donald Macleod presents highlights from five Composer of the Week episodes exploring the composer’s finest achievements including his masterpiece ‘Iberia’. Isaac Albéniz is responsible for some of the best known Spanish guitar pieces but originally wrote them for piano!

Highlights of Donald Macleod's visit to Anglesey for a celebration of Ole Bull: violinist extraordinaire, prolific composer, and spearhead of a Norwegian cultural revolution which enabled the likes of Grieg to carry the nation's music to the world.

Donald Macleod explores the extraordinary life of Leonard Bernstein; inexhaustible conductor, educator, performer and personality.

Brahms: Chamber and Instrumental works. Highlights from five Composer of the Week episodes presented by Donald Macleod expolring Brahms’ finest achievements.

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Thomas Arne, one of British music's most lively characters. He is remembered mainly for Rule Britannia and his setting of Shakespeare's Where the Bee Sucks

Donald Macleod introduces music and stories from the life of Johann Christian Bach, these days best known as the younget son of JS Bach, but in his day, the most famous Bach of all. Following JC Bach as he veers away from a typically Bach career as a provincial organist, and heads instead to Italy, and opera. Covering his move to London, his friendships with Carl Abel, Thomas Gainsborough and the eight-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and his decline.