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Composer of the Week Podcast

BBC Radio 3
Composer of the Week Podcast
Latest episode

677 episodes

  • Composer of the Week Podcast

    Tania León

    16/10/2026 | 1h 42 mins.
    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)
  • Composer of the Week Podcast

    The Venetian School

    09/10/2026 | 1h 28 mins.
    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
  • Composer of the Week Podcast

    Cyril Scott (1879-1970)

    02/10/2026 | 59 mins.
    Donald Macleod explores the life of Cyril Scott.
    Music featured:
    Lotus Land, Op 47 No 1
    Lullaby, Op 57 No 2
    Water Wagtail, Op. 71 No. 3
    Paradise-Birds (Five Poems, No 5)
    Symphony No 1 in G (excerpt)
    Etude, Op 4 No 3
    Piano Quartet in E minor, Op 16
    Three Symphonic Dances, Op 22 (Allegro con brio – Vivace)
    Aubade, Op 77
    Violin Sonata No 1, Op 59 (excerpt)
    Lullaby, Op 57 No 2
    Pierrot triste, Op 35 No 1 (Two Pierrot Pieces)
    Piano Concerto No 1 (Allegro maestoso)
    Soirée japonaise, Op 67 No 4
    Piano Trio No 1 (Rondo giocoso)
    Ballad of Fair Helen of Kirkonnel, Op 8
    Piano Quintet in C, No 1 (excerpt)
    Guitar Sonatina (Finale)
    Violin Concerto (excerpt)
    Spanish Dance
    Neptune – poem of the sea (excerpt)
    Symphony No 3 (Erato: Muse of Love and Poetry)
    Fantasie orientale
    Concerto for oboe and string orchestra (excerpt)
    Victorian Waltz
    Trio in B flat, for clarinet, cello and piano (Rondo capriccioso)
    Symphony No 4 (Adagio)
    Piano Sonata No 3 (Molto tranquillo)
    String Quartet No 2 (excerpt)
    Piano Concerto No 2
    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 Cyril Scott (1879-1970): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0031pym
    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
    Produced by Luke Whitlock
  • Composer of the Week Podcast

    Franz Schubert - The Final Years

    18/09/2026 | 1h 1 mins.
    Kate Molleson explores the last five years of Franz Schubert’s life.
    Music featured:
    Octet in F, D. 803
    Hungarian Melody in B minor, D. 817
    Rosamunde, D797
    String Quartet No. 13 in A minor, D. 804
    Ave Maria, D. 839
    Piano Sonata in A minor, D. 845
    Symphony No. 9 in C, D. 944
    Mass in C, D. 452
    Der Graf von Gleichen, D. 918
    String Quartet in G, D. 887
    Piano Sonata in G, D. 894
    Winterreise, D. 911
    Ständchen, D. 920
    Fantasie in F minor, D. 940
    Tantum ergo, D.962
    String Quintet in C, D. 956
    Piano Sonata in B flat, D. 960
    Piano Quintet in A, D. 667
    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 Schubert - The Final Years: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00317d0
    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
    Produced by Luke Whitlock
  • Composer of the Week Podcast

    Stephen Sondheim (1930-2021)

    15/09/2026 | 1h 7 mins.
    Donald Macleod reflects back on the life and work of a Titan of Musical Theatre.
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About Composer of the Week Podcast
BBC Radio 3's Composer Of The Week is a guide to composers and their music. The podcast is compiled from the week's programmes and published on Friday. It is only available in the UK.
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