An informative and accessible guide to composers' lives and their music.
Radio 3,·22 episodes
The Art of Procuring a Patron
Donald Macleod traces Handel’s early search for patronage.
20 Jul 2026,·59 mins
Adagio for Strings
Donald Macleod journeys into Samuel Barber’s early career.
17 Jul 2023,·59 mins
Barber joins the Army
Donald Macleod delves into Barber’s time during and after the Second World War.
18 Jul 2023,·59 mins
Barber’s operatic failure
Donald Macleod journeys through the 1960s, when Barber composes an Egyptian opera.
20 Jul 2023,·59 mins
Relationships under strain
Donald Macleod delves into Samuel Barber’s final years of emotional turmoil.
21 Jul 2023,·59 mins
The British are Coming!
Donald Macleod explores the origins of Nigerian art music with Alexander Douglas.
06 Jul 2026,·59 mins
Fela's Quiet Rhythm
Donald Macleod traces Fela Sowande’s early musical life with Alexander Douglas.
07 Jul 2026,·59 mins
The Life and Legacy of Little Ayo Bankole
Donald Macleod explores Ayo Bankole’s life and music with Alexander Douglas.
08 Jul 2026,·59 mins
African Pianism Man
Donald Macleod explores Akin Euba and unpicks African pianism with Alexander Douglas.
09 Jul 2026,·59 mins
Past, Present, Future
Donald Macleod and Alexander Douglas explore Nigerian art music past, present and future.
10 Jul 2026,·59 mins
Helping Hands
Donald Macleod explores Bernstein’s early years and the influential contacts he made.
29 Jun 2026,·59 mins
Wartime success
Donald Macleod explores Bernstein’s meteoric rise to fame as America goes to war.
30 Jun 2026,·59 mins
Marriage
Donald Macleod finds Bernstein beginning married life.
01 Jul 2026,·59 mins
“A Double Man”
Donald Macleod explores as cracks appear in Bernstein's personal life.
02 Jul 2026,·59 mins
Final years - hubris and charity
Donald Macleod explores the final years in the life of Leonard Bernstein.
03 Jul 2026,·59 mins
A city in turmoil
Donald Macleod explores Henry Purcell’s childhood in London.
18 Nov 2024,·59 mins
London's city spires
Donald Macleod explores Purcell’s music for London’s churches.
19 Nov 2024,·59 mins
London's royal houses
Donald Macleod explores Purcell’s music for royalty.
20 Nov 2024,·59 mins
London's Theatres
Donald Macleod explores Purcell’s role in London’s theatre scene.
21 Nov 2024,·59 mins
Tributes
Donald Macleod explores the tributes made to Purcell after his early death.
22 Nov 2024,·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
