Albert Roussel (1869-1937)

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Albert Roussel, looking at his first major success, which vividly evokes the sights and sounds of India, where he spent his honeymoon.

Plus some of Roussel's earliest pieces, including a chamber work heavily indebted to his teacher Vincent d'Indy.

Amoureux Separes (Deux Poemes Chinois, Op 12, No 2)

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Albert Roussel, looking at his first major success, which vividly evokes the sights and sounds of India, where he spent his honeymoon.

Plus some of Roussel's earliest pieces, including a chamber work heavily indebted to his teacher Vincent d'Indy.

Amoureux Separes (Deux Poemes Chinois, Op 12, No 2)

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Albert Roussel, introducing a complete performance of his ballet set in the insect world, which came to be one of his most successful works. There is also an excerpt from a piece completed during his convalescence - his only opera, inspired by his fascination with the Far East.

Sarabande (Deux Melodies, Op 20, No 2)

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Albert Roussel, introducing works with connections to Serge Koussevitsky, who invited Roussel to compose for the 50th anniversary of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

There is also a piece commissioned by the famous musical patron Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, who asked Roussel for a chamber piece for his favourite instrument - the flute.

Tytyre; Krishna (Joueurs de flute)

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Albert Roussel, introducing a group of Bacchanalian songs and a ballet based on the myth of Ariadne on Naxos, regarded by some as one of the masterpieces of the 20th Century.

Fanfare pour un Sacre Paien

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Albert Roussel, introducing the vast setting of Psalm 80 written for Roussel's own 60th birthday celebrations, his only string quartet and the orchestral piece described as 'a model of parody and invention'.

Psalm 80