Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finding her voice | 20190429 | 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 Romance, Op 23 Symphony in E minor, Op 32 (Gaelic) (Alla sicilana & Lento) Evening Hymn, Op 125 No 2 From Grandmother’s Garden, Op 97 Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales Donald Macleod follows Beach's quest to create a uniquely American sound for her music. Donald Macleod offers a weekly guide to composers and their music. | ||
| Marriage | 20190501 | 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 A Prelude, Op 71 No 1 When far from her, Op 2 No 2 Come, ah come, Op 48 No 1 Nunc Dimittis, Op 8 No 1 Peace I leave with you, Op 8 No 3 Violin Sonata in A minor, Op 34 Symphony in E minor, Op 32 (Gaelic) (Allegro di molto) Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales Donald Macleod looks at the impact of Beach's marriage on her career. Donald Macleod offers a weekly guide to composers and their music. | ||
| Sacred works | 20190430 | 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 upon 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 Mamma’s Waltz Valse Caprice, Op 4 Canticle of the Sun, Op 123 Though I take the wings of morning, Op 152 Trio for violin, cello and piano, Op 150 Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales Donald Macleod delves into Amy Beach's sacred works. Donald Macleod offers a weekly guide to composers and their music. | ||
| 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 artist's retreat in New Hampshire. The colony became an important sanctuary for her and is where she composed most of her later works. Je demande à l’oiseau, Op 51 No 4 A Hermit Thrush at Eve, Op 92 No 1 A Hermit Thrush at Morn, Op 92 No 2 Quartet for Strings, Op 89 Symphony in E minor, Op 32 (Gaelic) (Allegro confuoco) Trois morceaux caractéristiques, Op 28 Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales Donald Macleod focuses on a special place that became central to Beach's work. Donald Macleod offers a weekly guide to composers and their music. | ||
| 2019 | 01 | Finding Her Voice | 20190429 | 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 Romance, Op 23 Symphony in E minor, Op 32 (Gaelic) (Alla sicilana & Lento) Evening Hymn, Op 125 No 2 From Grandmother’s Garden, Op 97 Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales Donald Macleod follows Beach's quest to create a uniquely American sound for her music. Donald Macleod offers a weekly guide to composers and their music. |
| 2019 | 02 | Sacred Works | 20190430 | 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 upon 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 Mamma’s Waltz Valse Caprice, Op 4 Canticle of the Sun, Op 123 Though I take the wings of morning, Op 152 Trio for violin, cello and piano, Op 150 Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales Donald Macleod delves into Amy Beach's sacred works. Donald Macleod offers a weekly guide to composers and their music. |
| 2019 | 03 | Marriage | 20190501 | 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 A Prelude, Op 71 No 1 When far from her, Op 2 No 2 Come, ah come, Op 48 No 1 Nunc Dimittis, Op 8 No 1 Peace I leave with you, Op 8 No 3 Violin Sonata in A minor, Op 34 Symphony in E minor, Op 32 (Gaelic) (Allegro di molto) Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales Donald Macleod looks at the impact of Beach's marriage on her career. Donald Macleod offers a weekly guide to composers and their music. |
| 2019 | 04 | Europe | 20190502 | 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 Prelude Op 81 Der Totenkranz, Op 73 No 2 The Candy Lion, Op 75 No 1 Piano Concerto in C sharp minor, Op 45 On a Hill Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales Donald Macleod follows Beach as she travels beyond America's borders for the first time. Donald Macleod offers a weekly guide to composers and their music. |
| 2019 | 05 | 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 artist's retreat in New Hampshire. The colony became an important sanctuary for her and is where she composed most of her later works. Je demande à l’oiseau, Op 51 No 4 A Hermit Thrush at Eve, Op 92 No 1 A Hermit Thrush at Morn, Op 92 No 2 Quartet for Strings, Op 89 Symphony in E minor, Op 32 (Gaelic) (Allegro confuoco) Trois morceaux caractéristiques, Op 28 Produced by Luke Whitlock, for BBC Wales Donald Macleod focuses on a special place that became central to Beach's work. Donald Macleod offers a weekly guide to composers and their music. |