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Composer of the Week Episodes

  1. Today 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Viva Verdi!Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)

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

  2. Monday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Clara and Robert

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

  3. Tuesday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Clara and Liszt

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

  4. Wednesday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Clara and Brahms

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

  5. Next Thursday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Clara, Felix and Joseph

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

  6. Next Friday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Clara and the women

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

  7. Mon 2 Nov 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    A Meeting of UnequalsThe Mighty Handful

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

  8. Tue 3 Nov 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Creative tensionsThe Mighty Handful

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

  9. Wed 4 Nov 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Too big a handfulThe Mighty Handful

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

  10. Thu 5 Nov 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Duelling operasThe Mighty Handful

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

  11. Fri 6 Nov 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    A new dynamicThe Mighty Handful

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

  12. Mon 9 Nov 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Seeking His PlaceJean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)

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

  13. Tue 10 Nov 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

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

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

  14. Wed 11 Nov 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

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

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

  15. Thu 12 Nov 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    New CollaboratorsJean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)

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

  16. Fri 13 Nov 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Critic and CriticisedJean-Philippe Rameau (1683-1764)

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

  17. Mon 16 Nov 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Glittering BeastStan Tracey (1926-2013)

    1/5 Kate Molleson explores the life and work of pianist and composer Stan Tracey.

  18. Tue 17 Nov 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Resident PianistStan Tracey (1926-2013)

    2/5 Following Stan Tracey into the 1960s and the jazz hothouse of Ronnie Scott’s.

  19. Wed 18 Nov 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Making FreeStan Tracey (1926-2013)

    3/5 Following Stan Tracey into the 1970s as he dips his toe into the waters of free jazz.

  20. Thu 19 Nov 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Suite SpotStan Tracey (1926-2013)

    4/5 Stan Tracey returns to large-scale, thematic composing.

  21. Fri 20 Nov 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Grand Old ManStan Tracey (1926-2013)

    5/5 Stan Tracey kept performing and composing until the end.