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Composer of the WeekEpisodes

  1. Today16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The British are Coming!Fela Sowande and the Art Music of Nigeria

    1/5Donald Macleod explores the origins of Nigerian art music with Alexander Douglas.

  2. Tomorrow16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Fela's Quiet RhythmFela Sowande and the Art Music of Nigeria

    2/5Donald Macleod traces Fela Sowande’s early musical life with Alexander Douglas.

  3. Wednesday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Life and Legacy of Little Ayo BankoleFela Sowande and the Art Music of Nigeria

    3/5Donald Macleod explores Ayo Bankole’s life and music with Alexander Douglas.

  4. Thursday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    African Pianism ManFela Sowande and the Art Music of Nigeria

    4/5Donald Macleod explores Akin Euba and unpicks African pianism with Alexander Douglas.

  5. Friday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Past, Present, FutureFela Sowande and the Art Music of Nigeria

    5/5Donald Macleod and Alexander Douglas explore Nigerian art music past, present and future.

  6. Next Monday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Adagio for StringsSamuel Barber (1910-1981)

    1/5Donald Macleod journeys into Samuel Barber’s early career.(R)

  7. Next Tuesday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Barber joins the ArmySamuel Barber (1910-1981)

    2/5Donald Macleod delves into Barber’s time during and after the Second World War.(R)

  8. Wed 15 Jul 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Barber’s operatic failureSamuel Barber (1910-1981)

    4/5Donald Macleod journeys through the 1960s, when Barber composes an Egyptian opera.(R)

  9. Thu 16 Jul 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Relationships under strainSamuel Barber (1910-1981)

    5/5Donald Macleod delves into Samuel Barber’s final years of emotional turmoil.(R)

  10. Mon 20 Jul 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Art of Procuring a PatronGeorge Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

    1/5Donald Macleod traces Handel’s early search for patronage.

  11. Tue 21 Jul 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Elector and/or the KingGeorge Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

    2/5Donald Macleod follows Handel as he travels from Hanover to London.

  12. Wed 22 Jul 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Rise and Fall of the Duke of ChandosGeorge Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

    3/5Donald Macleod explores Handel’s time with the Duke of Chandos.

  13. Thu 23 Jul 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Fit for a King, Queen, Princess and PrinceGeorge Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

    4/5Donald Macleod explores Handel's life at the royal court.

  14. Fri 24 Jul 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    All for a Good CauseGeorge Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

    5/5Handel turns music into a public good, away from patronage. With Donald Macleod.

  15. Mon 27 Jul 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Symphonist in the makingAlice Mary Smith (1839-1884)

    1/5Donald Macleod journeys through the early years of Alice Mary Smith

  16. Tue 28 Jul 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Marriage on the horizonAlice Mary Smith (1839-1884)

    2/5Donald Macleod explores the early years of Smith’s marriage to Frederick Meadows White

  17. Wed 29 Jul 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Collaborations and ConcertosAlice Mary Smith (1839-1884)

    3/5Donald Macleod surveys some of Alice Mary Smith’s compositional collaborations

  18. Thu 30 Jul 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    A Second SymphonyAlice Mary Smith (1839-1884)

    4/5Donald Macleod traces Smith’s writing of her Second Symphony

  19. Fri 31 Jul 202616:00
    BBC Radio 3

    An Unexpected PassingAlice Mary Smith (1839-1884)

    5/5Donald Macleod dives into Smith’s final years and explores her last orchestral works