An informative and accessible guide to composers' lives and their music.
Radio 3,·24 episodes
Creativity and Conflict
Donald Macleod with biographer Paul Spicer journey into the early life of Arthur Bliss.
01 Jun 2026,·59 mins
Travels and Trudy
Donald Macleod with biographer Paul Spicer, delve into Arthur Bliss's Colour Symphony.
02 Jun 2026,·59 mins
Domestic Bliss
Donald Macleod with biographer Paul Spicer explore the early years of marriage for Bliss.
03 Jun 2026,·59 mins
A Pillar of British Music
Donald Macleod with biographer Paul Spicer delve into Bliss’s music during WWII and after.
04 Jun 2026,·59 mins
Birth of the Cool
Kate Molleson explores the life and work of a cultural icon: Miles Davis.
25 May 2026,·59 mins
Kind of Blue
Kate Molleson and Nate Chinen discuss Miles Davis's golden period during the 1950s.
26 May 2026,·59 mins
The Second Great Quintet
Kate Molleson and Nate Chinen discuss the Miles Davis sound of the 1960s.
27 May 2026,·59 mins
On the Corner
Kate Molleson and Nate Chinen explore a pivotal period in the story of Miles Davis.
28 May 2026,·59 mins
Rebirth
Kate Molleson and Nate Chinen discuss the last chapter in the life and work of Miles Davis
29 May 2026,·59 mins
Rome, Here I Come
Donald Macleod investigates the life of a Renaissance genius, Giovanni da Palestrina.
16 Jun 2025,·59 mins
What a Mass
Palestrina composes a major piece that will mark a turning point in music history.
17 Jun 2025,·59 mins
Saving Music
Close to the Pope's ear, Palestrina helps define the new rules of music writing.
18 Jun 2025,·59 mins
Father of the Chapel
After hard times, a celebrated composer Palestrina is thinking about entering priesthood.
19 Jun 2025,·59 mins
Crowning Gloria
Palestrina joins a collective, gets tempting job offers and even becomes a businessman.
20 Jun 2025,·59 mins
Columbused
Kate Molleson and Samantha Ege explore Florence Price’s early years.
11 May 2026,·59 mins
New World
Kate Molleson follows Florence Price through music college and beyond, with Samantha Ege.
12 May 2026,·59 mins
Dean of the Midwest
Florence Price takes the Windy City by storm. With Kate Molleson and Samantha Ege.
13 May 2026,·59 mins
All the World's Fair's a stage
Florence Price steps onto a national stage. With Kate Molleson and Samantha Ege.
14 May 2026,·59 mins
More than a woman
Kate Molleson and Samantha Ege discuss the growing legacy of Florence Price.
15 May 2026,·59 mins
Bluebeard
Bartók recovers from romantic rejection.
06 May 2026,·59 mins
Wooden Prince
The world plunges into war, with Bartók's Hungary at the centre.
07 May 2026,·59 mins
Night Music
Bartók faces a big decision: stay in Hungary or leave forever?
08 May 2026,·59 mins
Mary Lou Williams
Donald Macleod charts the extraordinary life of jazz composer & pianist Mary Lou Williams
22 Nov 2019,·67 mins
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
Donald Macleod tells the story of the loss and later rediscovery of CPE Bach’s music
28 Jun 2019,·64 mins
