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Composer of the Week Episodes

  1. Tuesday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Dancing King and Keyboard QueenElisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665-1729)

    2/5 Jacquet joins the court in Versailles and the circle of the most powerful woman in France. (R)

  2. Wednesday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    It’s a Lyrical LifeElisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665-1729)

    3/5 Jacquet de La Guerre plunges into mythical stories to write her very first opera. (R)

  3. Thursday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Sacred ArtElisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665-1729)

    4/5 While posing for a portrait and moving back home, Jacquet shines with her sonatas. (R)

  4. Friday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Prime Musician of the WorldElisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665-1729)

    5/5 Jacquet de La Guerre brings us to the fair, and still explores new musical territories. (R)

  5. Next Monday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Coming AliveStephen Sondheim (1930-2021)

    1/5 Donald Macleod reflects back on the life and music of Stephen Sondheim.

  6. Tue 8 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Rhymes, Heartbreaks and FrogsStephen Sondheim (1930-2021)

    2/5 Donald Macleod reflects back on the life and music of Stephen Sondheim.

  7. Wed 9 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Hits and MissesStephen Sondheim (1930-2021)

    3/5 Donald Macleod reflects back on the life and music of Stephen Sondheim.

  8. Thu 10 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    An Assassin, a Hat, and a WoodStephen Sondheim (1930-2021)

    4/5 Donald Macleod reflects back on the life and music of Stephen Sondheim.

  9. Fri 11 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Send in the ClownsStephen Sondheim (1930-2021)

    5/5 Donald Macleod reflects back on the life and music of Stephen Sondheim.

  10. Mon 14 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Final Years - 1824Franz Schubert - The Final Years

    1/5 Kate Molleson journeys through the last five years of Franz Schubert’s life.

  11. Tue 15 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Final Years - 1825Franz Schubert - The Final Years

    2/5 Kate Molleson journeys through the last five years of Franz Schubert’s life.

  12. Wed 16 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Final Years - 1826Franz Schubert - The Final Years

    3/5 Kate Molleson journeys through the last five years of Franz Schubert’s life.

  13. Thu 17 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Final Years - 1827Franz Schubert - The Final Years

    4/5 Kate Molleson journeys through the last five years of Franz Schubert’s life.

  14. Fri 18 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Final Years - 1828Franz Schubert - The Final Years

    5/5 Kate Molleson journeys through the last five years of Franz Schubert’s life.

  15. Mon 21 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Teresa CarreñoGreatest Showstoppers

    1/4 Donald Macleod explores the life and music of the 'Valkyrie of the Piano', Teresa Carreño. (R)

  16. Tue 22 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Elias Parish AlvarsGreatest Showstoppers

    2/4 Donald Macleod explores the story of Devon-born harp virtuoso Elias Parish Alvars. (R)

  17. Wed 23 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Maria SzymanowskaGreatest Showstoppers

    3/4 Donald Macleod follows Polish pianist Maria Szymanowska as she strikes out on her own. (R)

  18. Thu 24 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Joseph JoachimGreatest Showstoppers

    4/4 Donald Macleod explores Joachim's story of faithful admirers and broken friendships. (R)

  19. Fri 25 Sep 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Anton Rubinstein

    Donald Macleod follows Anton Rubinstein's quest to transform classical music in Russia