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Composer of the WeekEpisodes

  1. Monday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Little RebelGiuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

    1/5Kate Molleson follows young Verdi, whose ambitions soon outgrow his surroundings.

  2. Tuesday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Someone to LoseGiuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

    2/5Verdi makes a big move and comes face to face with untold tragedy. With Kate Molleson.

  3. Wednesday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The ComebackGiuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

    3/5Verdi encounters a lifechanging libretto. With Kate Molleson.

  4. Thursday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The People vs VerdiGiuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

    4/5Verdi takes on critics, censors and convention. With Kate Molleson.

  5. Next Friday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Viva Verdi!Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

    5/5Italy turns Verdi into a national hero. With Kate Molleson.

  6. Mon 26 Oct 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Clara and Robert

    Donald Macleod meets the friends (and foes) of composer Clara Schumann.

  7. Tue 27 Oct 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Clara and Liszt

    Donald Macleod meets the friends (and foes) of composer Clara Schumann.

  8. Wed 28 Oct 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Clara and Brahms

    Donald Macleod meets the friends (and foes) of composer Clara Schumann.

  9. Thu 29 Oct 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Clara, Felix and Joseph

    Donald Macleod meets the friends (and foes) of composer Clara Schumann.

  10. Fri 30 Oct 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Clara and the women

    Donald Macleod meets the friends (and foes) of composer Clara Schumann.

  11. Mon 2 Nov 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    A Meeting of UnequalsThe Mighty Handful

    1/5How Russian music changed for ever due to a group of five composers.

  12. Tue 3 Nov 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Creative tensionsThe Mighty Handful

    2/5Tensions arise within the group of ‘The Five’ and their circle.

  13. Wed 4 Nov 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Too big a handfulThe Mighty Handful

    3/5Balakirev takes control over the two leading performing ensembles in St Petersburg.

  14. Thu 5 Nov 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Duelling operasThe Mighty Handful

    4/5A rich period of stage works for the group, now freed from Balakirev’s criticism.

  15. Fri 6 Nov 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    A new dynamicThe Mighty Handful

    5/5We explore the legacy of The Mighty Handful on modern Russian music.

  16. Mon 9 Nov 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Seeking His PlaceJean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)

    1/5Donald Macleod traces Rameau’s early years, including his search for the right job.

  17. Tue 10 Nov 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    A late Opera careerJean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)

    2/5Donald Macleod surveys Rameau’s new career as a composer for the stage.

  18. Wed 11 Nov 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Promoted to Court ComposerJean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)

    3/5Donald Macleod delves into Rameau’s ascendency to writing music for the court.

  19. Thu 12 Nov 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    New CollaboratorsJean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)

    4/5Donald Macleod delves into Rameau’s collaborations with the playwright Louis de Cahusac.

  20. Fri 13 Nov 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Critic and CriticisedJean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)

    5/5Donald Macleod traces Rameau’s final years, including the reception to his last stage work