Composer of the Week Podcast

Donald Macleod explores Henry Purcell's music for the theatre, from songs he wrote for plays in the 1680s to the semi-opera The Indian Queen, which he did not live to complete

Donald Macleod investigates a little-known 'lost decade' in Tchaikovsky's life - a period the composer spent aimlessly wandering around Europe writing songs, chamber works and religious choral music.

Donald Macleod tells the story of one of our most celebrated English composers, Gustav Holst (1874-1934); a man who was deeply suspicious of his own celebrity. His series features many of Holst's works for the stage, including his ballets and complete performances of several rarely heard operas.

Donald Macleod explores Felix Mendelssohn's last seven years, starting with his appointment in 1841 to the post of Royal Prussian Kapellmeister in his home town of Berlin.

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Catalan composer and pianist Enrique Granados

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of the Russian composer, pianist and conductor Sergei Rachmaninov

Donald Macleod explores the music that was performed at the Palace of Versailles before the French Revolution in 1789

Donald Macleod follows Monteverdi on the road to stardom at the court of Mantua.

Donald Macleod explores the final part of Stravinsky's life, considering the impact his experience of America had on the man and his music

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of German Romantic composer and conductor Max Bruch

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Paul Dukas. An influential voice in musical circles, he comfortably sharedhis time between roles as a composer, musicologist, music critic and teacher

Donald Macleod surveys the life and music of Francesco Geminiani (1687-1762), now largely forgotten, but in his time considered almost a musical god, deemed to be the equal of Handel and Corelli.

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Mily Balakirev, a pivotal member of the 'mighty handful' group of Russian composers

Donald Macleod introduces the life and music of the Italian composer whose comic operas were the toast of some of the greatest world leaders of the day.

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Giovanni Paisiello.

Donald Macleod explores Shostakovich's brilliant youth - and the work of five extraordinary lost musical souls - amid the turmoil and extraordinary originality of 1920s Russia.

Donald Macleod investigates the life and work Luigi Cherubini, a composer often spoken of as 'an Italian composer writing German opera for a French audience'

Donald Macleod explores the myths and mysteries behind Sibelius's last, so-called 'silent' decades. With extracts from the composer's diary as well as a variety of rare pieces

Donald Macleod and Suzanne Aspden of Oxford University focus on Handel the borrower of his own and others' music

Donald Macleod maps out Mozart's life story, plays many of his favourite works and trys to fathom why for him Mozart's music will always remain a constant companion

Donald Macleod maps out Mozart's life story, plays many of his favourite works and trys to fathom why for him Mozart's music will always remain a constant companion

As part of the BBC's focus on opera in 2010, Donald Macleod explores the rich tradition of Russian opera, from Glinka in the early 19th century to Schnittke in the late 20th

Donald Macleod explores Bach's six years in service at the court of Cothen. It gave him the opportunity to explore fresh musical ground and open himself up to new styles of music making

The MacDowell Colony was founded in 1907 by the American composer Edward MacDowell and his pianist wife Marian. America's first artistic residency programme has played host to more than six thousand artists. As part of its centenary year celebrations, in 2007 Donald Macleod was allowed exclusive access to the colony set in its own grounds in New Hampshire, USA. There he meets composer Stewart Wall...

Donald Macleod and musicologist, harpsichordist and conductor William Christie explore the life and work of Andre Campra, to mark the 350th anniversary of the French composer's birth