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Composer of the Week Episodes

  1. Monday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Courtless MusicianClaudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)

    1/5 Kate Molleson explores Monteverdi’s early life and music.

  2. Tuesday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Fin de 16th siècleClaudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)

    2/5 Monteverdi arrives in Mantua and pushes musical boundaries. With Kate Molleson.

  3. Wednesday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Centre StageClaudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)

    3/5 Monteverdi takes to the stage with L’Orfeo. With Kate Molleson.

  4. Next Thursday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Troubles and trialsClaudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)

    4/5 Monteverdi leaves Mantua and begins a new chapter in Venice. With Kate Molleson.

  5. Next Friday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Sorrows, PrayersClaudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)

    5/5 Monteverdi’s final years and the rise of public opera. With Kate Molleson

  6. Mon 15 Jun 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Author UnknownAnonymous

    1/5 Donald Macleod celebrates music whose authorship has been lost, obscured or never recorded

  7. Tue 16 Jun 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Collective CreativityAnonymous

    2/5 Donald Macleod explores how the label ‘Anon.’ can give disparate works a shared identity.

  8. Wed 17 Jun 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Lost VoicesAnonymous

    3/5 Donald Macleod presents music ascribed to named composers whose true authors are unknown.

  9. Thu 18 Jun 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Beyond ComposersAnonymous

    4/5 When an author is absent, who else comes to the fore in music's story? With Donald Macleod

  10. Fri 19 Jun 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Musical SurvivorsAnonymous

    5/5 Donald Macleod celebrates Anonymous as something preserved rather than someone forgotten.

  11. Mon 22 Jun 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    A city in turmoilHenry Purcell (1659-1695)

    1/5 Donald Macleod explores Henry Purcell’s childhood in London. (R)

  12. Tue 23 Jun 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    London's city spiresHenry Purcell (1659-1695)

    2/5 Donald Macleod explores Purcell’s music for London’s churches. (R)

  13. Wed 24 Jun 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    London's royal housesHenry Purcell (1659-1695)

    3/5 Donald Macleod explores Purcell’s music for royalty. (R)

  14. Thu 25 Jun 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    London's TheatresHenry Purcell (1659-1695)

    4/5 Donald Macleod explores Purcell’s role in London’s theatre scene. (R)

  15. Fri 26 Jun 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    TributesHenry Purcell (1659-1695)

    5/5 Donald Macleod explores the tributes made to Purcell after his early death. (R)

  16. Mon 29 Jun 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Helping HandsLeonard Bernstein (1918-1990)

    1/5 Donald Macleod explores Bernstein’s early years and the influential contacts he made.

  17. Tue 30 Jun 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Wartime successLeonard Bernstein (1918-1990)

    2/5 Donald Macleod explores Bernstein’s meteoric rise to fame as America goes to war.

  18. Wed 1 Jul 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    MarriageLeonard Bernstein (1918-1990)

    3/5 Donald Macleod finds Bernstein beginning married life.

  19. Thu 2 Jul 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    “A Double Man”Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)

    4/5 Donald Macleod explores as cracks appear in Bernstein's personal life.

  20. Fri 3 Jul 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Final years - hubris and charityLeonard Bernstein (1918-1990)

    5/5 Donald Macleod explores the final years in the life of Leonard Bernstein.