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Composer of the WeekEpisodes

  1. Tomorrow16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Exterminating AngelThomas Adès

    5/5Donald Macleod and Thomas Adès dive into his most recent opera, The Exterminating Angel.

  2. Monday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    VisionaryHildegard of Bingen and Isabella Leonarda

    1/5Hildegard’s life is transformed after she reveals a long-held secret. With Donald Macleod.

  3. Tuesday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Muse of NovaraHildegard of Bingen and Isabella Leonarda

    2/5Leonarda’s talent flourishes within the confines of her convent. With Donald Macleod.

  4. Next Wednesday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    New rulesHildegard of Bingen and Isabella Leonarda

    3/5Hildegard becomes a leader and strikes out on her own. With Donald Macleod.

  5. Next Thursday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Beyond the CloisterHildegard of Bingen and Isabella Leonarda

    4/5Donald Macleod examines how Leonarda’s music reached beyond the walls of her convent.

  6. Next Friday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Transcendent voicesHildegard of Bingen and Isabella Leonarda

    5/5Hildegard’s secretaries prepare to preserve the story of her life. With Donald Macleod.

  7. Mon 6 Apr 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Melting PotGeorge Gershwin (1898-1937)

    1/5Donald Macleod explores the early life of George Gershwin.(R)

  8. Tue 7 Apr 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    He Rhapsodises BluesGeorge Gershwin (1898-1937)

    2/5Donald Macleod explores the years after Gershwin’s huge success with Rhapsody in Blue.(R)

  9. Wed 8 Apr 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    An American in ParisGeorge Gershwin (1898-1937)

    3/5Donald Macleod explores George Gershwin’s time in Paris in the spring of 1928.(R)

  10. Thu 9 Apr 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Gershwin in HollywoodGeorge Gershwin (1898-1937)

    4/5Donald Macleod tells the story of George Gershwin’s first experience of Hollywood.(R)

  11. Fri 10 Apr 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The First Great American OperaGeorge Gershwin (1898-1937)

    5/5Donald Macleod focuses on the origins and evolution of Gershwin’s opera Porgy and Bess.(R)

  12. Mon 13 Apr 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    One Way TicketFryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)

    1/5The wunderkind from Warsaw tries to make an impression on Paris’s exclusive salons.

  13. Tue 14 Apr 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Misadventures in LoveFryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)

    2/5Donald Macleod follows a period of crisis in Chopin’s career and romantic life.

  14. Wed 15 Apr 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Keeping Up AppearancesFryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)

    3/5Chopin and his lover George Sand escape the prying eyes of Paris. With Donald Macleod.

  15. Thu 16 Apr 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Boiling PointFryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)

    4/5Cracks start to show in Chopin’s relationship with George Sand. With Donald Macleod.

  16. Fri 17 Apr 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Flying SoloFryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)

    5/5Donald Macleod explores Chopin’s return to the stage in his turbulent final years.

  17. Mon 20 Apr 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Esterhaza OperaJoseph Haydn (1732-1809)

    1/5Donald Macleod explores how his employer’s obsession fuelled his own musical growth.

  18. Tue 21 Apr 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    ViennaJoseph Haydn (1732-1809)

    2/5Donald Macleod explores Haydn’s trips from Esterhaza to Vienna.

  19. Wed 22 Apr 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    AmadeusJoseph Haydn (1732-1809)

    3/5Donald Macleod explores the friendship between Haydn and Mozart.

  20. Thu 23 Apr 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Spreading FameJoseph Haydn (1732-1809)

    4/5Donald Macleod explores Haydn’s growing popularity throughout Europe.

  21. Fri 24 Apr 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    "Sad to be a slave"Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

    5/5Donald Macleod explores how Haydn grew frustrated at his life in Esterhaza.