Composer of the Week

This week, Kate Molleson traces the development of Jean Sibelius’s symphonies. Set against Finland’s changing political climate and Sibelius’s own, turbulent personal circumstances, the podcast explores what shaped each symphony’s character – from the nationalism surrounding Nos. 1 and 2, to the renewed sense of form in the Third, the more inward Fourth, and the reworked Fifth. The week concludes with the distinctive Sixth and the single‑movement Seventh, composed during a period of uncertainty both for Finland and Sibelius himself.
Music featured includes:
Symphony No 2 in D, Op 43
Song of my Heart, Op 18 No 6
Symphony No 1 in E minor, Op 39
The Diamond on the March Snow, Op 36 No 6
Sunrise, Op 37 No 1
Kyllikki, Op 41 No 3
Symphony No 3 in C, Op 52
The Captive Queen, Op 48
Erloschen
String Quartet in D minor, Op 56 ‘Voces Intimae’
Des Abends, Op 58 No 5
Symphony No 4 in A minor, Op 63
Spring’s Spell, Op 61 No 8
Romance, Op 78 No 2
The Oceanides, Op 73
The Echo Nymph, Op 72 No 4
Symphony No 5 in E flat, Op 82
Jokamies, Op 83
Autrefois, Op 96b
Symphony No 6 in D minor, Op 104
Danses Champêtres, Op 106 No 1
Symphony No 7 in C, Op 105
Presented by Kate Molleson
Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Audio Wales and 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 Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002rr2j
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 how Amy Beach railed against the sexism of her time to journey from a child piano prodigy to a respected composer.
Young Birches
Valse – Caprice, op.4
3 Songs, Op 2 no 3 - Empress of Night
Eilende Wolken, segler der Lufte, Op. 18
Violin Sonata, Op.34 - I. Allegro Moderato
Quartet for Strings in One Movement
The Lark Quartet
Romance for violin and piano, op.23
Ecstasy, Op.19 no 2
Symphony in E Flat, Op.32 'Gaelic'
Peace I leave with you
Dreaming (4 Sketches, Op.15)
Piano Quintet in F sharp minor, Op.67
Deus Misereatur, Op.78 no 2
Jephthah’s Daughter, Op.53
A Hermit Thrush At Morn, Op.92, no.2
Piano Concerto, Op. 45
From Grandmother’s Garden - V. Honeysuckle
By the still waters, Op.114 (arr. Lewin for 2 guitars)
Hermit Thrush At Eve, Op.92, no.1 (1922)
3 Piano pieces, Op. 128 (I. Scherzino)
Ses Yeux, Op. 66
Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 150
Cabildo, Op. 149 “Ah, love is a jasmine vine”
Canticle of the Sun
Scottish Legend, Op. 54, No 1
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 Amy Beach (1867-1944): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002rf45
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
Producer: Steven Rajam / Sam Phillips

Donald Macleod delves into the life of the great German composer Heinrich Schütz.
Music featured:
Wohl denen, die ohne Wandel leben, SWV 482
Tugend ist der beste Freund, SWV 442
O primavera, SWV 1
Wohl dem der ein tugendsam Weib hat, SWV 20
Zion spricht, der Herr hat mich verlassen, SWV 46
En novus Elysiis, SWV 49 (Syncharma Musicum)
Ich heb mein Augen sehnlich auf, SWV 226 (Becker Psalter)
Mit dem Amphion zwar mein Orgel und mein Harfe, SWV 501
Auferstehungshistorie, SWV 50
Fili mi, Absalon, SWV 269
Ich hab mein Sach Gott heimgestellt, SWV 305
Erhöre mich, wenn dich ich rufe, SWV 289
O der grossen Wundertaten, SWV 278
Musikalische Exequien, SWV 279
Ich werde nicht sterben, SWV 346 (Symphoniarum sacrarum II)
Die mit Tränen säen, SWV 378 (Geistliche Chormusik)
Haus und Güter erbet man von Eltern, SWV 21
Teutoniam dudum belli, SWV 338
Was betrübst du dich, SWV 353 (Symphoniarum sacrarum II)
Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes, SWV 386
Seid barmherzig, SWV 409 (Symphoniarum sacrarum III)
Herr, nun lässest du deinen Diener, SWV 432
Schütz: Die Erde trinkt für sich, SWV 438
Saul, Saul, was verfolgst du mich, SWV 415 (Symphoniarum sacrarum III)
St Matthew Passion, SWV 479
Vater Abraham, erbarme dich mein, SWV477
Ich rufe von ganzem Herzen, SWV 491
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 Heinrich Schutz (1585-1672): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002qqry
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, joined by Dr John Purser, explores the life and music of Erik Chisholm – one of Scotland’s most original and adventurous composers. From his early fascination with folk melody and the piano in Glasgow, through his championing of new music and his wide‑ranging artistic friendships, to his bold ventures in opera, ballet and international musical life, Chisholm’s story is one of restless curiosity and invention. We follow his journey from Scotland to India, Singapore and South Africa, tracing the ideas, collaborations and passions that shaped his distinctive voice.
Music featured includes:
Airs from the Patrick MacDonald Collection: Nos. 18, 23–26
Piano Sonatina No. 1
Straloch Suite: Nos. 1–2
Piano Concerto No. 1 “Piobaireachd”: I & IV
Violin Concerto: II. Allegro scherzando
The Three Worthies; Dirge for Summer; Snail, Snail, Shoot Out Your Horn
Dance Suite for Orchestra: III. March; IV. Reel
Piobaireachd: Nos. 1–4
Piano Concerto No. 2 “Hindustani”: III. Rondo burlesca
Pictures from Dante (After Doré): I. Inferno; II. Paradisio
Poems of Love
Symphony No. 2 “Ossian”: Prelude; Allegro animado; Epilogue
Piano Sonata in A major “a Rhiobain Dearg”: IV. Allegro moderato
Tango
Scottish Airs for Children: Nos. 6–12
From the True Edge of the Great World: Preludes 1, 8, 9
Ceol Mòr Dances: Nos. 1–2
Night Song of the Bards: Bard 3; Bard 4
Simoon: excerpts
Dance Suite for Orchestra and Piano: I. Allegro energico; II. Piobaireachd
Presented by Kate Molleson.
Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales and 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 Erik Chisholm (1904-1965) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002qh44.
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 takes a tour of the life of Franz Xaver Mozart, son of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with guest Professor Cliff Eisen.
Music featured:
Piano Concerto No 1 in C, Op 14 (excerpt)
Das Finden, Op 27 No 2 (Drei Deutsche Lieder)
Variations on a Minuet from W. A. Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Op 2
Piano Quartet in G minor Op 1
Variation 28 for Anton Diabelli’s Waltz
Piano Concerto No 1 in C, Op 14 (Allegro maestoso)
Rondo in F, Op 4 (excerpt)
Nein! (Sechs Lieder, No 3)
Violin Sonata in B flat, Op 7
Piano Concerto No 1 in C, Op 14 (Adagio)
Polonaise mélancolique No 5 in F minor, Op 17
Piano Concerto No 1 in C, Op 14 (Allegretto)
Violin Sonata in F, Op 15 (excerpt)
Sinfonia in D
Das liebende Mädchen (Sechs Lieder, No 1)
An spröde Schönen (Sechs Lieder, No 2)
Piano Sonata in G
Violin Sonata in F, Op 15 (Polonaise)
In der Väter Hallen ruht, Op 12
Piano Concerto No 2 in E flat, Op 25 (excerpt)
Variations on a Theme of an Ukrainian Folk Song, Op 18
An Emma, Op 24
Grand Sonata for piano and cello in E, Op 19
Polonaise mélancolique, Op 22 No 1 (Risoluto)
Piano Concerto No 2 in E flat, Op 25 (Allegro con brio)
Engel Gottes künden
Rondo in E minor
Polonaise mélancolique, Op 22 No 2-4
An den Abendstern, Op 27 No 1
Piano Concerto No 2 in E flat, Op 25 (excerpt)
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 Franz Xaver Wolfgang Mozart (1791-1844): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002q4m1
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