An informative and accessible guide to composers' lives and their music.
Radio 3,·24 episodes
The Amazing Bud Powell
Kate Molleson explores the life and work of the amazing Bud Powell.
The Genius of Bud Powell
Exploring Bud Powell's 1951 arrest and the period of incaceration that followed.
Bud Powell's Moods
Following Bud Powell into the late 1950s.
Bud Powell in Paris
Tracing Bud Powell's move to Paris in 1959.
Waltz
How did a scandalous peasants’ dance evolve into the waltz?
Foxtrot
A dangerous new dance debuts in New York.
Tango
In the slums of rural Argentina, cultures blend and the tango is born.
Samba
A dance of defiance is born on the streets of post-slavery Brazil.
Cha-cha-cha
The most recognisable rhythm in dance: two, three, cha-cha-chà.
Superstar
Donald Macleod explores the showman side of Liszt’s personality.
Sinner
Donald Macleod unpacks Liszt’s love life and his brushes with scandal.
Saint
Donald Macleod explores Liszt’s midlife pivot towards his faith.
Goth
Donald Macleod looks at the dark and demonic side of Liszt’s life and music for Halloween.
Wanderer
Donald Macleod explores Liszt’s rootlessness and nomadic nature.
Welcome to the House of Music
Donald Macleod explores the life and music of African American composer Margaret Bonds.
Glorious Revelations
Donald Macleod follows Margaret Bonds as she is about to make life-changing discoveries.
Sing With All Your Soul
Donald Macleod accompanies Margaret Bonds as she embarks on a new exciting adventure.
Black Pride
Donald Macleod meets Margaret Bonds at a crucial time in the fight for racial equality.
A Laugh for the Road
Donald Macleod concludes Margaret Bonds' story, ending in glories and heartbreaks.
Knockbacks and War
Kate Molleson delves into the period Charles Ives establishes his own insurance company.
Rebuffs and Recognition
Kate Molleson explores Charles Ives the composer, writer and thinker.
Crisis, Climax and Close
Kate Molleson explores the final decades for Charles Ives when he stopped composing.
Mary Lou Williams
Donald Macleod charts the extraordinary life of jazz composer & pianist Mary Lou Williams
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
Donald Macleod tells the story of the loss and later rediscovery of CPE Bach’s music
