Composer of the Week

Kate Molleson explores the life and music of Florence Price, joined by pianist and scholar Samantha Ege. From her childhood in Little Rock, where family, education and the realities of racial segregation shaped her early ambitions, Price’s story unfolds through persistence, reinvention and growing recognition. Moving through her years of study and early career, we hear how she drew on African American musical traditions while navigating the social and political pressures around her. In Chicago, she found a vibrant artistic community and new opportunities, leading to orchestral success and national visibility. In her later years, recognition remained uneven, and her music continued to evolve in the face of resistance and neglect, with works still coming to light long after her death.Music featured includes: Negro Folksongs in Counterpoint: No. 4 Shortnin’ Bread Violin Concerto No. 2 Symphony No. 4 in D minor (extract) Scenes in Tin Can Alley: Children at Play Fantasie Nègre No. 1 in E minor Fantasie Nègre No. 2 in G minor String Quartet No. 2 in A minor – Finale Concert Overture No. 2 Adoration Fantasie No. 2 in F sharp minor A Day in the Life of a Washerwoman Fantasie No. 1 in G minor The Goblin and the Mosquito Songs to the Dark Virgin Ethiopia’s Shadow in America (extracts) Symphony No. 1 in E minor (extract) Symphony No. 1 in E minor – Juba Dance Piano Concerto in One Movement (extract) Sympathy My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord The Oak Resignation Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major – Allegro The Mississippi River (extracts) Fantasie Nègre No. 3 in F minorPresented by Kate Molleson Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales and WestFor full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Florence Price (1887-1953) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002vw41.And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

This week, Kate Molleson explores the life and music of Sergey Prokofiev – a composer whose imagination shaped some of the most vivid music of the 20th century. From childhood stories in rural Ukraine to bold experiments at the St Petersburg Conservatory, from revolutionary Russia to the bright lights of New York, and finally to his dramatic homecoming, Prokofiev’s journey is full of ambition, upheaval and colour. We hear music that tells tales – fairytales, fantasies and fragments of real life – revealing a composer who never stopped dreaming.Troika (from Lieutenant Kijé Suite, Op. 60) Cinderella Suite, Op. 87 The Winter Bonfire, Op. 122: IV–VIII Music for Children, Op. 65: Nos. 1–9 Peter and the Wolf, Op. 67 Four Études, Op. 2 Autumnal Sketch Piano Concerto No. 1 in D flat major, Op. 10 The Ugly Duckling, Op. 18 Cinderella Suite No. 1, Op. 107: IV. Fairy Godmother and Winter Fairy Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 25 'Classical' Seven, They Are Seven, Op. 30 Scythian Suite, Op. 20: I–II Old Grandmother’s Tales, Op. 31: Nos. 1–4 Overture on Hebrew Themes The Love of Three Oranges: Suite Five Songs Without Words Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 63: II. Andante assai Le Pas d’acier Suite, Op 41a: I, II The Prodigal Son, Op. 46, Scene 1: IV–VIII Romeo and Juliet: Dance of the KnightsPresented by Kate Molleson Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales & WestFor full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Sergey Prokofiev (1891-1953) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002n9nvAnd you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

This week, Kate Molleson explores the life and work of a musical giant – drummer and composer Max Roach – in the company of writer and broadcaster Kevin Le Gendre. Together they trace Roach’s extraordinary journey: from his early days at the heart of bebop alongside Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, through his pioneering role as a bandleader, his political activism during the civil rights era, and his later innovations in percussion and collaboration. Roach’s story is one of constant reinvention as performer, composer and activist, shaping jazz and beyond for more than half a century.Music includes: Dr Free-Zee (from Max Roach +4) Joy Spring (from Clifford Brown and Max Roach) Bu Dee Daht (from Coleman Hawkins: Rainbow Mist) Salt Peanuts (from Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker: Town Hall, New York City, June 22, 1945) Ko-Ko (from Charlie Parker: The Complete Savoy and Dial Master Takes) Bird Gets the Worm (from Charlie Parker: The Complete Savoy and Dial Master Takes) Move (from Miles Davis: The Complete Birth of the Cool) Cherokee (from Jazz at Massey Hall) Cou Manchi-Cou (from Max Roach Quartet, featuring Hank Mobley) Maximum (from In the Beginning) Daahoud (from Clifford Brown and Max Roach) Sandu (from Study in Brown) Take the A Train (from Study in Brown) Fleurette Africain (from Money Jungle) Driva’man (from We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite) Freedom Day (from We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite) Garvey’s Ghost (from Percussion Bitter Sweet) Lonesome Lover (from It’s Time: Max Roach, his Chorus and Orchestra) The Drum Also Waltzes (from Drums Unlimited) Libra (from Members Don’t Git Weary) Let Thy People Go (from Lift Every Voice and Sing) Joshua (from Lift Every Voice and Sing) A Quiet Place (from Collage) Double Delight (from Bright Moments) Spirit Possession (from Birth and Rebirth) Love is a Many Splendored Thing (from Clifford Brown and Max Roach at Basin Street) Presented by Kate Molleson. Produced by Martin Williams for BBC Audio Wales & West. For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Max Roach (1924-2007) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002mb7w. And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z.

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Elfrida Andrée, a Swedish composer and organist who fought for women’s rights in classical music. Featuring guests Anastasia Belina and Jonas Lundblad. Music Featured: Fritiof Suite Summer memories from Bjurslätt Piano Sonata in A, Op 3 An angel walks through the room Symphony No 1 Romance No 2 Serenade String Quartet in A major Chorale with variations in D minor Piano Quintet in E minor Andante quasi recitativo Swedish Mass No 1 Symphony No 2 Four Piano Pieces Symphony No 2 Piano Trio in G minor Organ Symphony No 1 in B minor Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Audio Wales & West For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Elfrida Andrée (1841-1929): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002lnpf And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

To celebrate the centenary of his birth, Kate Molleson explores the life and music of one of most influential figures in all of modern music – Luciano Berio. Berio’s music is lyrical and expressive, while never ignoring the most advanced techniques and technologies of his time. He worked with many key figures in 20th Century music while always following his own, very individual path, both through life and in his music, where he constantly pushed at and broke the boundaries he encountered. Music featured: Folk Différences Petite Suite Coro Sequenza IV Canzonetta for piano 4 hands Sequenza III Chamber Music No 1 “Strings in the Earth and Air” Visage Beatles Songs - “Yesterday” Requies Cinque variazioni Calmo (in memorium Bruno Maderna) Thema - Omaggio a Joyce Chemins I (su sequenza II) for harp and orchestra Folk Songs Sequenza V Laborintus II Sinfonia E si fussi pisci Sequenza IX Rendering (2nd mvt, Andante) Altra voce Presented by Kate Molleson Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Audio Wales & West For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Luciano Berio (1925-2003): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002kz1p And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

Kate Molleson speaks to Jamaican-born composer Eleanor Alberga about her life and career. Eleanor Alberga is a quietly rebellious composer. She draws inspiration from Jamaican folk songs, children's fairytales, ancient mythology - even chemistry. She was one of the first pianists to take modern dance seriously. And as a student, she arrived to performances on a motorcycle. Alberga joins Kate Molleson and takes us on a journey from Kingston to London and beyond. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Jamaican Medley Nightscape It’s Time Strata Tower The Soul’s Expression No Man’s Land Lullaby Dancing with the Shadow Clouds Ice Flow The Wild Blue Yonder String Quartet No. 3 Cwicseolfor Deep Blue Sea Piano Concerto Presented by Kate Molleson Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio Wales & West For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Eleanor Alberga https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002k3rh And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

Donald Macleod explores Robert Schumann’s years in Dusseldorf – the city where he would spend the final years of his life. Despite often being portrayed as a creative disaster, during this period, Schumann was greatly inspired by the city and by the countryside which surrounded it, and would write some of his greatest music.Music featured: Marchenbilder, Op 113 (1st mvt, Nicht schnell) Symphony No 3 in E-flat major ‘Rhenish’ Op 97 5 Lieder, Op 40 (No 4, Der Spielmann) Geistervariationen in E-flat major for piano, WoO 24 Violin Concerto in D minor, WoO 23 (2nd & 3rd mvts) Konzertstück for 4 Horns and Orchestra, Op 86 (1st mvt) Lieder und Gesange aus Wilhelm Meister, Op 98a Scenes from Goethe’s Faust, Part 3 (excerpt) The Bride of Messina Overture Kinderszenen, Op 15 (No 7 Träumerei) Genovera Overture Op 81 Sechs Gesange, Op 107 (No 6 Abendlied) Adventlied (excerpt) Mass in C minor, Op 147 (Gloria) Symphony No 4 in D minor, Op 120 (1st mvt) Manfred Overture, Op 115 Cello Concerto in A minor, Op 129 Violin Sonata No 1 in A minor, Op 105 (2nd mvt) Der Rose Pilgerfahrt, Op 112 Marchenerzahlungen, Op132 (No 3) Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra in C major, Op 131 Introduction and Concert Allegro, Op 134 Blumenstuck in D-flat Major, Op 19 Wenn mein Stundlein vorhanden istPresented by Donald Macleod Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Audio Wales & WestFor full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Robert Schumann (1810-1856) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002hwtc And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z