Composer of the Week

Donald Macleod explores a rich and varied body of music gathered under a single name: Anonymous. Bringing together works whose creators were never recorded, later forgotten or deliberately obscured, the podcast traces how music can circulate and endure without a clear author. With contributions from Professor Lisa Colton and Professor Fay Hield, there is a focus on how anonymous works have been preserved, collected and sometimes reshaped over time, from medieval polyphony and early modern song to folk traditions passed down through generations. Along the way, questions emerge about authorship, ownership and how we listen to music when its origins are uncertain or shared.Music featured includes: Romance Anonimo (arr. Yepes) from Jeux interdits Horn Concerto in E flat major Three Medieval Dances: A que as cousas coitadas; Il Trotto; La Quarte Estampie Royal Shallow Brown Dances from Le Concert Royal de la Nuit (1653) Three Modinhas from 18th Century Portugal Neapolitan Songs: Barcarola napoletana; La favola dell'uccello grifone La Messe de Tournai: Gloria; Credo The Cruel Mother The Bull Ring Vaughan Williams: English Folk Song Suite Three Dances (arr. Praetorius) Attrib. Beethoven: Waltz in B flat major ‘Gertrude’s Dream Waltz’ Attrib. L. Mozart: Cassation in G major ‘Toy Symphony’ Mrs Philarmonica: Sonata Sesta in G major Attrib. Mozart: Divertimento in E flat major, K.196e Attrib. Brahms: Piano Trio in A major, Op. post. El Cant de la Sibilla The Banks of the Nile Green Gravel In Te Domine speravi Three Medieval Dances Sumer is icumen in Agincourt Carol O sponsa Dei electa Three Worcester Fragments Lovely on the Water The Bloody Gardener Old England Grown New Three Cantigas de Santa María

This week, Donald Macleod visits Sir John Rutter at his Cambridgeshire home to celebrate his 80th birthday and explore the twists and turns of his extraordinary career. One of the most influential choral composers of the 20th and 21st centuries – and for many, the sound of Christmas – Rutter is also an international conductor, arranger, editor and producer, describing himself as a musical “magpie.” Across the week, we hear hallmark carols alongside music shaped by his life’s milestones: from childhood in London and formative years in Cambridge, to his long association with America, his response to personal tragedy, and his latest creative ventures. Music featured: Nativity Carol 4 Orchestral Miniatures: Dance to Your Daddy London Town: A Choral Celebration Shepherd’s Pipe Carol The Lord Bless You and Keep You Visions Cityscapes: Flower of Cities All Banquet Fugue (from The Reluctant Dragon) A Clare Benediction Reflections: Prelude What Sweeter Music Wind in the Willows (Extract – Opening) Somerset Wassail Candlelight Carol I’ll Make Me a World Gloria Cityscapes: Big Apple Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit Lord Make me an Instrument (arr. for orchestra) Requiem: Lux Aeterna Mass of the Children: Sanctus and Benedictus The Gift of Life: The Gift of Each Day There is a flower When Icicles Hang: Good Ale Bird Songs: If I were an Owl Dancing Tree (In My Garden) Celebration Overture All the Stars Looked Down Carol of the Magi Presented by Donald Macleod. Produced by Amelia Parker 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 John Rutter (b 1945) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002mk0y. 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, Donald Macleod explores Wagner’s world of dreams – musical, romantic and revolutionary. Wagner didn’t just write operas; he imagined entire worlds, reshaping reality to fit his ideals. His stories blur fact and fantasy, turning myth into truth and politics into drama. From youthful ambitions and radical uprisings to scandal, patronage and the creation of Bayreuth, we follow a composer whose dreams were as grand as his music.Götterdämmerung, Act III: Siegfried’s Funeral March Die Feen, Act II: Weh uns, weh!; O musst du, Hoffnung, schwinden Piano Sonata in B-flat Major, WWV 21, Op. 1 (ii. Larghetto) Lohengrin, Act III: Prelude and Bridal Chorus Das Liebesverbot, Act 1: Kennst du das Leid der Elternlosen; Herbei, betrognes Volk The Flying Dutchman, Extract from Act III Rienzi, Overture Das Rheingold, Prelude and Scene 1 Tristan und Isolde, Act 3: Isoldes Liebestod Albumblatt (arr. August Wilhelmj) Huldigungsmarsch Lohengrin, Act III: In fernem Land “Grail Narration” Tristan und Isolde, Extract from Act II Siegfried, Love duet from Act III Scene 3 Parsifal, Act III Suite, ed. Abbado: Good Friday Music Siegfried, extract from Act II Scene 1 Kinder-Katechismus Die Walküre, Act III Scene 3: Wotan’s Farewell and Magic Fire MusicPresented by Donald Macleod. Produced by Ellie Ajao 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 Richard Wagner: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002m0kk.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, Donald Macleod explores the life and music of the often overlooked younger Haydn brother, Michael. From his early years in Vienna to his long tenure in Salzburg, Michael Haydn’s career was shaped by family ties, shifting patronage, and ecclesiastical politics. His relationship with the Mozart family ranged from friendly collaboration to bitter rivalry, and his music—both sacred and secular—reflected the changing demands of the church and court. As he aged, Michael faced new opportunities and challenges, including a long-awaited reunion with his brother Joseph and a prestigious job offer that stirred unexpected doubts.Requiem in C minor pro defuncto Archiepiscopo Sigismund, MH 155 Symphony No 32 in D Major, P 23 Missa Sancti Aloysii, MH 257 Concerto for Harpsichord and Viola in C major, MH 41 Missa Sanctae Crucis, MH 56 Symphony in B flat major, MH 82 Trumpet Concerto in C major, MH 60 Die Hochzeit auf der Alm Notturno in F major, MH 185 Missa Sancti Hieronymi Symphony No 24 in A major, P 15 Tenuisti manum, MH 695 Missa Quadragesimalis, MH 552 Divertimento in C major, P 98 Ninfe inbelli Missa Sancta Theresiae Der Obersulzer Wein, MH 697 Abendlied, MH 784 Trinklied im Freien, MH 790 Flute Concerto in D Major MH 81 Divertimento in C, MH 600 Missa sub titulo Sancti Leopoldi, MH 837 Endimione: Vado per un momento Presented by Donald Macleod. Produced by Chris Taylor 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 Michael Haydn https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002lcjr. 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.

Johann Sebastian Bach is a towering cultural icon, a composer who might be seen as the poster boy for “serious music” and spent most of his career in the service of the church. But he played many roles in the course of his life, and could be funny, sassy, conniving, obstinate, and rebellious. Donald Macleod dives into Bach's secular music, and follows his trail as he makes his way in the world, from courts to coffee houses, building a family, two-timing his bosses, and even a stint behind bars.Featured music: Brandenburg Concerto No 5, BWV1050 (i. Allegro) Flute Sonata in E minor, BWV1034 Capriccio in honorem Johann Christoph Bach BWV993 Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV1004 (v. Chaconne) Organ Sonata No 4, BWV528 Lute Suite No 1 in E minor, BWV996 Partita for Solo Violin in E major, BWV1006 (IV. Menuet) Fugue in G minor for violin and basso continuo, BWV1026 Trio Sonata No 2 in C minor, BWV 526 Concerto after Vivaldi in A minor, BWV593 (i. Allegro) Cantata BWV208 'Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd!' (excerpt) Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV565 Prelude and Fugue in F minor Prelude in D minor, BWV851 Brandenburg Concerto No 5, BWV1050 (iii. Allegro) Cantata BWV134a ‘Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht’: Ergetzet auf Erden Bach Collegium Japan Cello Suite No 2 in D minor, BWV1008 (Sarabande and minuets) French Suite No 4 in E-flat major, BWV815 (1st-4th movements) Brandenburg Concerto No 4 in G major, BWV1049 Harpsichord Concerto BWV 1054 (iii. Allegro) Double Violin Concerto, BWV1043 (1st movement) Cantata, BWV214 “'Tönet, ihr Pauken'” (opening chorus) Orchestral Suite No 2, BWV1067 (3rd – 7th movements) Cantata BWV211 'Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht' (Coffee Cantata) “Peasant” Cantata – Mer hahn ein neue Oberkeet, BWV212: “Wir gehn nun wo der Dudelsak” Double Violin Concerto, BWV1043 (2nd movement) Orchestral Suite No 3, BWV1068 (iii. Gavotte to v. Gigue) Goldberg Variations, BWV988 (Aria and Variations 1-5) Musical Offering, BWV1079: Ricercar a 6 The Contest Between Phoebus and Pan, BWV201 (“Pan ist Meister”….end)Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Amelia Parker 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 Johann Sebastian Bach: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002kdkg 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