Composer of the Week Podcast

Donald Macleod asks how ‘The Mighty Handful’ of composers changed Russian music forever in the 19th century.
The Mighty Handful, who collaborated between 1856 and 1881, changed the direction of Russian music, permanently freeing it from Germanic influences, and setting the scene for the country’s ground-breaking music in the 20th century.
Who were these five composers? What was the dynamic between them, and what conditions fomented their musical iconoclasm?
Featured music:
Balakirev: Octet for Winds, Strings and Piano
Balakirev: In Bohemia, Symphonic Poem
Glinka: A Life for the Tsar - Overture
Mussorgsky: A Night on the Bare Mountain
Balakirev: Overture on Russian Themes No.1
Rimsky Korsakov: The Sea and Sinbad's Ship from Scheherazade
Balakirev: Islamey
Rimsky Korsakov: Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 1
Borodin: Piano Quintet in C minor
Mussorgsky: Souvenir d’Enfance
Borodin: Symphony No. 1 in E flat
Traditional: Nikita Romanovich
Balakirev: Extracts from 30 Russian Folk Songs
Rimsky-Korsakov: “Antar” Symphonic Suite Op. 9
Balakirev: Symphony No. 1 in C major
Borodin: Symphony No. 2 in B minor
Balakirev: Mazurka No. 2 in C sharp minor
Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov Prologue Scene 1
Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov: Coronation Scene
Mussorgsky: Mlada: Festival March
Rimsky Korsakov: The Maid of Pskov
Borodin: Prince Igor
Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov - extracts from final scene
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition, Promenade v and Cum mortuis in lingua mortua
Mussorgsky: Song of the Flea
Mussorgsky: Khovanshschina
Rimsky Korsakov: The Snow Maiden
Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia
Balakirev: Tamara
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 The Mighty Handful: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0033fk8
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 meets the friends (and foes) of composer Clara Schumann.
Clara Schumann is considered one of the most talented composer-pianists of the Romantic era. Put to work by her domineering father from an early age, as a touring performer she soon drew the admiration of her peers - and made friends who would remain important presences in her life until the end. As an adult, she spent several hours every day writing and replying to their letters. This week, Donald Macleod explores some of those relationships: her husband and fellow composer Robert, who was entranced from the moment he first heard her play; her peer and fierce rival, Franz Liszt; her mysteriously close companion Johannes Brahms; composer Felix Mendelssohn and violinist Joseph Joachim, who supported her through difficult times; and the women who Clara influenced and was influenced by.
Music featured includes:
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 7: II. Romanze. Andante non troppo con grazia
4 Polonaises, Op. 1
3 Romances, Op. 11: III. Moderato
Robert Schumann: Études symphoniques, Op. 13
Clara and Robert Schumann: Zwölf Gedichte aus Liebesfrühling Op. 37 (excerpt)
Souvenir de Vienne, Op 9
Liszt: Hexaméron, Grandes variations de concert sur un thême des "Puritains", S654
Liszt: Sonata in B minor: I. Lento assai
Brahms: Wiegenlied, Op. 49 No. 4 (Lullaby)
Brahms: Piano Trio No. 2 in C Major, Op. 87: I. Allegro
3 Romances, Op. 21
Brahms: Serenade, Op. 16, arr. by Clara Schumann
Brahms: Vier ernste Gesänge, Op. 121
Mendelssohn: Songs without Words, Book 5 (6), Op. 62
3 Romances Op.22
3 Lieder Op. 12
6 Lieder, Op. 13
Lehmann, L: The Daisy-Chain
Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17
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 Clara Schumann and Her Circle: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m003437y
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 explores the life and music of Giuseppe Verdi, following the rebellious streak that carried him from a small village in northern Italy to the centre of the operatic world. Supported by mentors but determined to follow his own path, Verdi overcame early setbacks, personal tragedy and professional uncertainty to become one of the defining voices of nineteenth-century music. As success brought fame, he continued to challenge convention, confronting censors, testing the boundaries of opera and refusing to bend easily to public expectations. Along the way, his music became closely entwined with the story of a changing Italy, turning a provincial composer into a cultural figure of national significance.
Presented by Kate Molleson
Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales
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 Giuseppe Verdi: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0032s5w/episodes/guide
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
Music featured includes:
Nabucco: "Va, pensiero"
Romanza senza parole
Messa di Gloria
Pater Noster
Oberto, conte di San Bonifacio: "Oh patria terra, alfine io ti rivedo"
Aida: Grand March
Sei Romanze (1838): Nos. 1
Oberto, conte di San Bonifacio: Overture
Un giorno di regno: Sinfonia
Requiem: Lux aeterna; Libera me
Attila: Prelude
Un giorno di regno: "Pietoso al lungo pianto"
Nabucco: Sinfonia; "Gli arredi festivi"
Ernani: Act I scenes
Macbeth: Prelude; Act I scenes
Rigoletto: "La donna è mobile"
Rigoletto: Act I scenes
Luisa Miller: "Ti desta, Luisa"
Stiffelio: Overture
La traviata: Act I scenes
La traviata: "Libiamo ne' lieti calici"
La battaglia di Legnano: scenes
Simon Boccanegra: "Plebe! Patrizi!"
Don Carlo: Act III scenes
Requiem: Dies irae

Kate Molleson explores the life and music of Tania León in conversation with the composer herself. Born in Cuba and later settling in the United States, León has built an international career as a composer, conductor, educator and advocate for new music. From her early musical experiences in Havana and the influence of Cuban culture, to her work in New York's dance community and collaborations with performers around the world, León reflects on the people, places and ideas that have shaped her creative life. Along the way, she discusses encounters with figures including Nelson Mandela, Marian Anderson, Leonard Bernstein and Conlon Nancarrow, as well as the experiences that have informed a body of work spanning orchestral, chamber, vocal and stage music.
Presented by Kate Molleson
Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Audio Wales
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 Tania León: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0032fwy
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
Music featured includes:
Parajota Delaté
Rituál
Haiku
Chan Chan
Batá
Homage to Prokofiev
Batéy
Journey
Ajiaco
Carabalí
Oh Yemanja (Mother's Prayer) from Scourge of Hyacinths
Singin' Sepia (Five Songs on Poems by Rita Dove)
Saóko
Horizons
De Memorias
Tumbao
Esencia
Rondó a la Criolla
Alma
Inura (Understanding)
A tres voces
Bailarín
Pasajes
Zero Plus Anything
Homenatge
Stride
Elegia a Paul Robeson
Raíces (Origins)

Donald Macleod explores the rise and fall of the Venetian School, the group of composers who helped make sixteenth-century Venice one of the musical capitals of Europe. As the Republic's political and commercial influence began to wane, its cultural life flourished. Music spilled out from churches, confraternities, publishing houses and civic celebrations, while St Mark's Basilica became the focal point of a distinctive and influential musical tradition. From the arrival of Adrian Willaert to the contributions of Cipriano de Rore, Andrea Gabrieli, Giovanni Gabrieli and their contemporaries, Donald traces a period of extraordinary innovation, rivalry and artistic ambition, set against the ceremonies, politics and myths of the Most Serene Republic.
Presented by Donald Macleod
Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Audio Wales
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 The Venetian School: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00320zw
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
Music featured includes:
Giovanni Gabrieli: O Magnum Mysterium
Claudio Merulo: Benedicam Dominum
Francesco Canova da Milano: Fantasia No. 19 "Bellissima"
Adrian Willaert: Vecchie Letrose
Adrian Willaert: Infelix ego
Claudio Merulo: Toccata VIII
Adrian Willaert: Veni Sancte Spiritus
Adrian Willaert: Lauda Jerusalem Dominum
Claudio Merulo: Cumque beatissimus Marcus Evangelista
Adrian Willaert: Vespro della Beata Vergine: Dixit Dominus
Cipriano de Rore: De le belle contrade d'oriente
Jacques Buus: Ricercare
Giovanni Bassano: Deus qui beatum Marcum
Giovanni Bassano: La rose (after Willaert)
Cipriano de Rore: Missa Praeter rerum seriem – Credo; Sanctus & Benedictus
Andrea Gabrieli: Asia felice hor ben posso chiamarmi
Cipriano de Rore: Descendi in Hortum Meum
Gioseffo Zarlino: Modulationes per Philippum de Monte
Andrea Gabrieli: Missa Vexilla Regis – Gloria & Credo
Andrea Gabrieli: Ricercar VII
Baldassare Donato: Chi la gagliarda
Gioseffo Zarlino: Adiuro vos, filiae
Giovanni Gabrieli: Sacrae Symphoniae – Canzon III a 4
Andrea Gabrieli: Egredimini videte
Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon duodecimi toni
Andrea Gabrieli: Ecco Vinegia bella
Gioseffo Zarlino: Pater noster, Ave Maria
Andrea Gabrieli: Gloria a 16
Giovanni Gabrieli: Magnificat, C75
Baldassare Donato: Viva sempre
Giovanni Croce: In spiritu humilitatis
Giovanni Gabrieli: Deus qui beatum Marcum
Giovanni Gabrieli: Sonata XX a 22
Giovanni Croce: Quaeramus cum pastoribus
Giovanni Bassano: Tota pulchra es
Giovanni Gabrieli: Kyrie
Giovanni Gabrieli: O quam suavis
Giulio Cesare Martinengo: Regum Mundi
Giovanni Gabrieli: Litaniae Beatae Mariae Virginis, C63