Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 02 | 20100803 | Possessing American ancestry going back several generations, and having never studied in Europe, Amy Beach is often considered the first truly American composer. In today's episode, Donald Macleod introduces her 'Gaelic' symphony of 1897, written shortly after Antonin Dvorak had called on American composers to forge a new national identity in music. He also introduces three songs on texts by Robert Browning, and a charming North Atlantic cousin of Elgar's 'Salut d'Amour'. Donald Macleod on Amy Beach's Gaelic symphony - arguably the first real American symphony. | ||
| 2010 | 03 | 20100804 | In less than a year, Amy Beach tragically lost the two most important figures in her life: her husband and mother. Between them, they'd carefully guided her musical career - both encouraging her talents and clamping down on activity that they saw as 'unladylike'. Suddenly, at the age of 43, Amy Beach was about to embark on a remarkable new chapter in her life: one with the freedom to compose and perform as she wished. Donald Macleod introduces a complete performance of Beach's Piano Quintet, as well as a quartet of the composer's most playful and enchanting songs. Donald Macleod explores the aftermath of the deaths of Amy Beach's husband and mother. | ||
| 2010 | 04 | 20100805 | By the early 1920s, Amy Beach was an American musical institution - albeit somewhat steeped in the Victorian era. Who would have expected, then, that aged 54, the composer would begin a remarkable new direction in her musical life, centred upon the idyllic Macdowell Colony - an artists' retreat deep in the New Hampshire woods. There, Amy Beach composed an outpouring of evocative chamber works, fusing her own lyrical expression with more modern elements to create a uniquely personal musical style. Donald Macleod introduces a pair of pieces evoking the Hermit Thrush's morning and evening calls, as well as major pieces for string quartet and one of the composer's most passionate songs. Donald Macleod focuses on Amy Beach's experiences at the idyllic Macdowell Colony. | ||
| 2010 | 05 LAST | 20100806 | Now well into her sixties, by the mid-1930s Amy Beach was finally beginning to feel her age. Moving to Manhattan, she embarked on a remarkable final chapter in her musical life, producing some of her most distinctive songs and piano works, as well as a Creole-infused chamber opera, 'Cabildo'. Donald Macleod explores the music of Amy Beach's last decade. Donald Macleod focuses on the last decade of Amy Beach's life. | ||
| 2019 | 01 | Finding Her Voice | 20190429 | 20210111 (R3) | Donald Macleod follows Beach's quest to create a uniquely American sound for her music. Amy Beach was born in the 19th century and, like all women composers of her generation, she found her path to greatness strewn with obstacles. This week, Donald Macleod charts her struggle to take control of her own destiny and become one of America's most cherished cultural figures; a composer who helped lead her nation into the mainstream of classical music. Famed conductor, Leopold Stokowski noted that her symphony was `full of real music, without any pretence or effects but just real, sincere, simple and deep music.` In today's programme, Donald follows Beach's search to develop her individual voice as a composer. She responds to Dvorak's call for Americans to establish their own classical music tradition but chastises him for his presumption that only men could lead the way. Pastorale, Op 151 The Reykjavik Wind Quintet Romance, Op 23 Tasmin Little, piano John Lenehan, piano Symphony in E minor, Op 32 (Gaelic) (Alla sicilana and Lento) Detroit Symphony Orchestra Neeme Jarvi, conductor Evening Hymn, Op 125 No 2 Harvard University Choir Kate Nyhan, soprano Navaz Karanjia, alto Erica Johnson, organ Murray Forbes Somerville, conductor From Grandmother's Garden, Op 97 Kirsten Johnson, piano Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Wales |
| 2019 | 02 | Sacred Works | 20190430 | 20210112 (R3) | Donald Macleod explores the influence of religion upon the music of Amy Beach. Amy Beach was born in the 19th century and, like all women composers of her generation, she found her path to greatness strewn with obstacles. This week, Donald Macleod charts her struggle to take control of her own destiny and become one of America's most cherished cultural figures; a composer who helped lead her nation into the mainstream of classical music. Famed conductor, Leopold Stokowski noted that her symphony was `full of real music, without any pretence or effects but just real, sincere, simple and deep music.` Today's programme looks at how Beach's religious beliefs impacted her life and work. From her upbringing by devout parents, to her own beliefs and involvement with the church, Beach composed many sacred works during her lifetime, including the large-scale Canticle of the Sun. The Year's at the Spring, Op 44 No 1 Robert White, tenor Samuel Sanders, piano Mamma's Waltz Kirsten Johnson, piano Valse Caprice, Op 4 Canticle of the Sun, Op 123 Susan Bender, soprano Elizabeth McLean, mezzo soprano Richard Turner, tenor James Shaffran, bass Capitol Hill Choral Society and Orchestra Betty Buchanan, director Though I take the wings of morning, Op 152 Katherine Kelton, mezzo-soprano Catherine Bringerud, piano Trio for violin, cello and piano, Op 150 The Ambache Elizabeth Layton, violin Martin Outram, viola Diana Ambache, piano Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Wales Donald Macleod delves into Amy Beach's sacred works. |
| 2019 | 03 | Marriage | 20190501 | 20210113 (R3) | Donald Macleod traces the impact of Beach's marriage upon her career as a composer and pianist. Amy Beach was born in the 19th century and, like all women composers of her generation, she found her path to greatness strewn with obstacles. This week, Donald Macleod charts her struggle to take control of her own destiny and become one of America's most cherished cultural figures; a composer who helped lead her nation into the mainstream of classical music. Famed conductor Leopold Stokowski noted that her symphony was `full of real music, without any pretence or effects but just real, sincere, simple and deep music.` Today's programme traces the impact marriage had upon Beach both as a composer and a pianist. Although her husband encouraged her composition, she had to curtail her career as a concert pianist, performing in public only once a year. But the financial security of her marriage did allow for Beach to compose some of her most enduring works, including her famed Violin Sonata. Ah, love, but a day, Op 44 No 2 Kate Royal, soprano Malcolm Martineau, piano A Prelude, Op 71 No 1 Katherine Kelton, mezzo-soprano Catherine Bringerud, piano When far from her, Op 2 No 2 Come, ah come, Op 48 No 1 Nunc Dimittis, Op 8 No 1 Harvard University Choir Murray Forbes Somerville, conductor Peace I leave with you, Op 8 No 3 Violin Sonata in A minor, Op 34 Tasmin Little, violin John Lenehan, piano Symphony in E minor, Op 32 (Gaelic) (Allegro di molto) Detroit Symphony Orchestra Neeme Jarvi, conductor Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Wales Donald Macleod looks at the impact of Beach's marriage on her career. |
| 2019 | 04 | Europe | 20190502 | 20210114 (R3) | Donald Macleod follows Amy Beach as she travels beyond the borders of her homeland, America, for the first time. Amy Beach was born in the 19th century and, like all women composers of her generation, she found her path to greatness strewn with obstacles. This week, Donald Macleod charts her struggle to take control of her own destiny and become one of America's most cherished cultural figures; a composer who helped lead her nation into the mainstream of classical music. Famed conductor, Leopold Stokowski noted that her symphony was `full of real music, without any pretence or effects but just real, sincere, simple and deep music.` Today's programme sees Amy Beach liberated by her husband's death and embarking on her first tour of Europe. Beach sought to rejuvenate her career as both a composer and concert pianist with this tour, performing her own highly acclaimed piano concerto. Autumn Song, Op 56 No 1 Kyle Bielfield, tenor Lachlan Glen, piano Prelude Op 81 Kirsten Johnson, piano Der Totenkranz, Op 73 No 2 Katherine Kelton, mezzo-soprano Catherine Bringerud, piano The Candy Lion, Op 75 No 1 Piano Concerto in C sharp minor, Op 45 Danny Driver, piano BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra Rebecca Miller, conductor On a Hill Guadalupe Kreysa, soprano Paul Hardy, piano Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales Donald Macleod follows Beach as she travels beyond America's borders for the first time. |
| 2019 | 05 LAST | Sanctuary | 20190503 | Donald Macleod focuses on a special place that became central to Beach and her work as a composer. Amy Beach was born in the 19th century and, like all women composers of her generation, she found her path to greatness strewn with obstacles. This week, Donald Macleod charts her struggle to take control of her own destiny and become one of America's most cherished cultural figures; a composer who helped lead her nation into the mainstream of classical music. Famed conductor, Leopold Stokowski noted that her symphony was `full of real music, without any pretence or effects but just real, sincere, simple and deep music.` Today, Donald follows Beach to the MacDowell Colony, a unique artists' retreat in New Hampshire. The colony became an important sanctuary for her and is where she composed most of her later works. Je demande |