Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20060619 | The Hungarian composer and pianist B退la Bartok was born into a time of intense political turmoil in his homeland. During his formative years, Bartok was caught up in a surge of nationalism that gripped Hungary and informed many of his early compositions. But, as Donald Macleod discovers, it wasn't long before another, stronger influence was to transform his life and work. Ha kimagyek arr a magos tetore (If I climb the rocky mountains) from Eight Hungarian Folksongs Sz 64 Julia Hamari (mezzo-soprano) Ilona Prunyi (piano) Kossuth Budapest Festival Orchestra Ivan Fischer (conductor) Two Portraits Chantal Juillet (violin) Orchestre symphonique de Montreal Charles Dutoit (conductor) Seven Sketches, Op 9b, Nos 1, 2 and 4 Jeno Jando (piano) String Quartet No 1, last movement Takacs Quartet. Seven Sketches, Op 9b, Nos 1, 2 & 4 | ||
| 01 | 20060626 | The Hungarian composer and pianist B退la Bartok was born into a time of intense political turmoil in his homeland. During his formative years, Bartok was caught up in a surge of nationalism that gripped Hungary and informed many of his early compositions. But, as Donald Macleod discovers, it wasn't long before another, stronger influence was to transform his life and work. Ha kimagyek arr a magos tetore (If I climb the rocky mountains) from Eight Hungarian Folksongs Sz 64 Julia Hamari (mezzo-soprano) Ilona Prunyi (piano) Kossuth Budapest Festival Orchestra Ivan Fischer (conductor) Two Portraits Chantal Juillet (violin) Orchestre symphonique de Montreal Charles Dutoit (conductor) Seven Sketches, Op 9b, Nos 1, 2 & 4 Jeno Jando (piano) String Quartet No 1, last movement Takacs Quartet. | ||
| 01 | 20070618 | Bartok was born into a time of intense political turmoil in Hungary. During his formative years, he was caught up in a surge of nationalism that gripped his homeland and informed many of his early compositions. But, as Donald Macleod discovers, it wasn't long before another, stronger influence was to transform his life and work. Ha kimagyek arr' a magos tetore (If I climb the rocky mountains, Eight Hungarian Folksongs) Julia Hamari (mezzo-soprano) Ilona Prunyi (piano) Kossuth Budapest Festival Orchestra Ivan Fischer (conductor) Two Portraits Chantal Juillet (violin) Orchestre symphonique de Montreal Charles Dutoit (conductor) Seven Sketches, Op 9b (Nos 1,2 and 4) Jeno Jando (piano) String Quartet No 1 (last movement) Takacs Quartet. | ||
| 01 | 20090216 | Donald Macleod explores the life and music of composer, pianist and folksong collector Bela Bartok. He examines music inspired by his failed love affair with violinist Stefi Geyer, as well as an excerpt from his only opera. The composer had to wait eight years to see it staged for the first time. Fourteen Bagatelles (No 2) string quartet no 1 (final movement) duke bluebeard's castle (excerpt) ten easy pieces (nos 4,6,11) four hungarian folk songs, sz 50 two portraits Donald Macleod explores music inspired by bartok's failed love affair with stefi geyer | ||
| 01 | A Small And Sickly Child | 20150126 |
Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. Today he focuses on Bartok's sickly childhood, early life and musical beginnings, including his first major work Kossuth, influenced by Strauss and inspired by a Hungarian revolutionary. | |
| 01 | A Small And Sickly Child | 20150126 |
Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. Today he focuses on Bartok's sickly childhood, early life and musical beginnings, including his first major work Kossuth, influenced by Strauss and inspired by a Hungarian revolutionary. | |
| 02 | 20060620 | One of the outstanding features of B退la Bartok's genius is the febrile musical imagination he demonstrated in his three intense, fantastical and often disturbing dramatic works. Donald Macleod looks at the vivid imagery which Bartok conjured up in these three compositions for the stage. Allegro Barbaro B退la Bartók (piano) Duke Bluebeard's Castle (extract) Bluebeard....John Tomlinson (bass) Judith....Anne Sofie von otter (mezzo-soprano) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Bernard Haitink (conductor) The Wooden Prince (extract) Chicago Symphony orchestra Pierre Boulez (conductor) Miraculous Mandarin Suite Philharmonia Orchestra Neeme Järvi (conductor). | ||
| 02 | 20070619 | One of the outstanding features of Bartok's genius is the febrile musical imagination he demonstrated in his three intense, fantastical and often disturbing dramatic works. Donald Macleod looks at the vivid imagery that Bartok conjured up in his works for the stage. Allegro Barbaro Bela Bartok (piano) Duke Bluebeard's Castle (excerpt) Bluebeard....John Tomlinson (bass) Judith....Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo-soprano) Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Bernard Haitink (conductor) The Wooden Prince (excerpt) Chicago Symphony Orchestra Pierre Boulez (conductor) Miraculous Mandarin Suite Philharmonia Orchestra Neeme Jarvi (conductor). | ||
| 02 | 20090217 | Donald Macleod introduces the suite Bartok created from his ballet The Miraculous Mandarin, which caused a riot at its premiere, plus an excerpt from his earlier ballet The Wooden Prince which, in spite of disapproval from the conservative faction in the audience, was Bartok's first popular success. Az en szerelmem, Op 15 No 1 wooden prince (excerpt) romanian folk-dances Donald Macleod presents two bartok ballets that had contrasting public receptions suite, op 14 miraculous mandarin (concert suite) | ||
| 02 | First Loves | 20150127 | Donald Macleod focuses on the years leading up to World War I. Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. Today's programme focuses on the years leading up to the 1st World War, including Bartok's discovery of folksong and his friendship with fellow composer, Zoltan Kodaly. We also learn about an early jilted romance and Bartok's first marriage. Featuring an excerpt from one of his most infamous works, Duke Bluebeard's Castle.
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| 02 | First Loves | 20150127 | 20170821 | Donald Macleod focuses on the years leading up to World War I. Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. Today's programme focuses on the years leading up to the 1st World War, including Bartok's discovery of folksong and his friendship with fellow composer, Zoltan Kodaly. We also learn about an early jilted romance and Bartok's first marriage. Featuring an excerpt from one of his most infamous works, Duke Bluebeard's Castle. Trad Mikor gulaslegeny voltam (When I was a herdsman) Fourteen Bagatelles; No. 4 Two Portraits; 2nd movement: Grotesque Fourteen Bagatelles; Nos. 3, 13, 14 String Quartet No. 1 Duke Bluebeard's Castle; Door 7 |
| 02 | First Loves | 20170821 | Donald Macleod focuses on the years leading up to World War I. Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. Today's programme focuses on the years leading up to the 1st World War, including Bartok's discovery of folksong and his friendship with fellow composer, Zoltan Kodaly. We also learn about an early jilted romance and Bartok's first marriage. Featuring an excerpt from one of his most infamous works, Duke Bluebeard's Castle. Trad Mikor gulaslegeny voltam (When I was a herdsman) Fourteen Bagatelles; No. 4 Two Portraits; 2nd movement: Grotesque Fourteen Bagatelles; Nos. 3, 13, 14 String Quartet No. 1 Duke Bluebeard's Castle; Door 7 | |
| 03 | 20060621 | Bartok's all-consuming passion for collecting and arranging folksongs faltered over a crisis in his own compositional style. He was so confused by the rapidly changing musical landscape around him that for a few years, he stopped composing altogether. Donald Macleod looks at Bartok's middle years as he struggled to find his own voice. Eight Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs, No 2 Murray Perahia (piano) Out of Doors, Nos 1,3 and 6 Joanna McGregor (piano) String Quartet No 3 Emerson String Quartet Piano Concerto No 2 Zoltan Kocsis (piano) Budapest Festival Orchestra Ivan Fischer (conductor). | ||
| 03 | 20070620 | Bartok's all-consuming passion for collecting and arranging folksongs faltered over a crisis in his own compositional style. He was so confused by the rapidly changing musical landscape around him that for a few years he stopped composing altogether. Donald Macleod looks at Bartok's middle years as he struggled to find his own voice. 8 Improvisations on Hungarian Peasant Songs (No 2) Murray Perahia (piano) Out of Doors (Nos 1, 3 and 6) Joanna McGregor (piano) String Quartet No 3 Emerson String Quartet Piano Concerto No 2 Zoltan Kocsis (piano) Budapest Festival Orchestra Ivan Fischer (conductor). | ||
| 03 | 20090218 | Donald Macleod explores Bartok's life and music, introducing the colourful suite he composed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the unifaction of Budapest, which cemented his reputation as a major figure in contemporary music, as well as an evocative choral work inspired by an ancient Romanian Christmas carol. Three Village Scenes (Lad's Dance) | ||
| 03 | World War I And Withdrawal | 20150128 | Exploring Bartok's crisis of confidence and the chance encounter that revitalised him. Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. Today's programme focuses on a troubled period in Bartok's life. As World War I took hold in Europe, the composer was suffering from a crisis of confidence. He withdrew from Hungarian musical society, writing little new music. However, a chance encounter with a young girl revitalised him, leading to works such as the 2nd String Quartet, the Wooden Prince and the Miraculous Mandarin.
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| 03 | World War I And Withdrawal | 20150128 | 20170822 | Exploring Bartok's crisis of confidence and the chance encounter that revitalised him. Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. Today's programme focuses on a troubled period in Bartok's life. As World War I took hold in Europe, the composer was suffering from a crisis of confidence. He withdrew from Hungarian musical society, writing little new music. However, a chance encounter with a young girl revitalised him, leading to works such as the 2nd String Quartet, the Wooden Prince and the Miraculous Mandarin. Roman Nepi Tancok (Romanian Folk Dances) BB 76 Op. 15 songs; No. 2: Summer, No. 5: In the Valley The Wooden Prince; The Princess Dances with the Wooden Prince String Quartet No. 2; 2nd movement: Allegro Molto Capriccioso Miraculous Mandarin Suite 8 Improvisations on a Hungarian Theme; Theme Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. Today's programme focuses on a troubled period in Bartok's life. As World War I took hold in Europe, the composer was suffering from a crisis of confidence. He withdrew from Hungarian musical society, writing little new music. However, a chance encounter with a young girl revitalised him, leading to works such as the 2nd String Quartet, the Wooden Prince and the Miraculous Mandarin. |
| 03 | World War I And Withdrawal | 20170822 | Exploring Bartok's crisis of confidence and the chance encounter that revitalised him. Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. Today's programme focuses on a troubled period in Bartok's life. As World War I took hold in Europe, the composer was suffering from a crisis of confidence. He withdrew from Hungarian musical society, writing little new music. However, a chance encounter with a young girl revitalised him, leading to works such as the 2nd String Quartet, the Wooden Prince and the Miraculous Mandarin. Roman Nepi Tancok (Romanian Folk Dances) BB 76 Op. 15 songs; No. 2: Summer, No. 5: In the Valley The Wooden Prince; The Princess Dances with the Wooden Prince String Quartet No. 2; 2nd movement: Allegro Molto Capriccioso Miraculous Mandarin Suite 8 Improvisations on a Hungarian Theme; Theme | |
| 04 | 20060622 | By the 1930s, Bartok's international reputation as both composer and pianist was at its peak. But at home in Hungary, he was still struggling to gain the recognition he deserved. Donald Macleod explores the years leading up to the Second World War when Bartok began to realise his future may lie elsewhere, rather than in his beloved Hungary. Cantata ProfanaTamas Daroczy (tenor)Alexandru Agache (baritone)Choir of Hungarian Radio and TelevisionBudapest Festival OrchestraGeorg Solti (conductor)Two- and three-part Choruses (Wandering; Loafer's Song)Chamber Chorus of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of MusicAntal Dorati (conductor)Music for Strings, Percussion and CelestaBerlin Philharmonic OrchestraSeiji Ozawa (conductor). Cantata ProfanaTamas Daroczy (tenor)Alexandru Agache (baritone)Choir of Hungarian Radio & TelevisionBudapest Festival OrchestraGeorg Solti (conductor)Two- and three-part Choruses (Wandering; Loafer's Song)Chamber Chorus of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of MusicAntal Dorati (conductor)Music for Strings, Percussion and CelestaBerlin Philharmonic OrchestraSeiji Ozawa (conductor). | ||
| 04 | 20070621 | By the 1930s, Bartok's international reputation as both a composer and pianist was at its peak, but in his homeland he was still struggling to gain the recognition he deserved. Donald Macleod explores the years leading up to the Second World War, when Bartok began to realise his future may lie elsewhere rather than in his beloved Hungary. Cantata Profana Tamas Daroczy (tenor) Alexandru Agache (baritone) Choir of Hungarian Radio and Television Budapest Festival Orchestra Georg Solti (conductor) Wandering; Loafer's Song (Two and Three-part Choruses) Chamber Chorus of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music Antal Dorati (conductor) Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Seiji Ozawa (conductor). | ||
| 04 | 20090219 | Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Hungarian composer Bela Bartok. He introduces a complete performance of Bartok's Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste, considered one of the masterworks of the 20th Century, plus an excerpt from his Second Piano Concerto and a chamber work played by the two musicians who commissioned it, with the composer himself at the piano. Romanian Whirling Dance music for strings, percussion and celeste i send you this cadmium red 20020119 a collaboration between artist John Christie and writer John Berger, with music composed and performed by Gavin Bryars and his quartet." music for strings, percussion and celeste Donald Macleod introduces bartok's celebrated music for strings, percussion and celeste music for strings, percussion and celeste" loafers' song; wandering; girls' teasing song contrasts (3rd mvt) piano concerto no 2 (1st mvt) | ||
| 04 | Rediscovering The Piano | 20150129 | Donald Macleod focuses on Bartok's re-emergence as a composer and pianist after WWI. Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. Today's programme explores the circumstances of Bartok's second marriage, and his subsequent re-emergence as a composer and pianist of international renown.
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| 04 | Rediscovering The Piano | 20150129 | 20170823 | Donald Macleod focuses on Bartok's re-emergence as a composer and pianist after WWI. Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. Today's programme explores the circumstances of Bartok's second marriage, and his subsequent re-emergence as a composer and pianist of international renown. Dance Suite: 5th and 6th movements (Comodo, Finale) Frescobaldi (transcribed Bela Bartok) Out of Doors Suite: 4th movement (The Night's Music) Piano Concerto No. 1: 3rd movement (Allegro Molto) Cantata Profana Music for Strings Percussion and Celesta: Finale Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. Today's programme explores the circumstances of Bartok's second marriage, and his subsequent re-emergence as a composer and pianist of international renown. |
| 04 | Rediscovering The Piano | 20170823 | Donald Macleod focuses on Bartok's re-emergence as a composer and pianist after WWI. Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. Today's programme explores the circumstances of Bartok's second marriage, and his subsequent re-emergence as a composer and pianist of international renown. Dance Suite: 5th and 6th movements (Comodo, Finale) Frescobaldi (transcribed Bela Bartok) Out of Doors Suite: 4th movement (The Night's Music) Piano Concerto No. 1: 3rd movement (Allegro Molto) Cantata Profana Music for Strings Percussion and Celesta: Finale | |
| 05 | Slide Into War And Exile | 20150130 | Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. As Europe slipped into World War II, Bartok wrote to a friend of how he felt the whole world was drifting into evil, restlessness and terror...and of the need to go far from the vicinity of what he called the ""pestilence-ridden lands. Today's programme explores Bartok life as a Hungarian émigré in America and his final years away from the land he'd once loved. Donald Macleod explores Bartok's final years and his move to America during World War II.
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| 05 | Slide Into War And Exile | 20170824 | Donald Macleod explores Bartok's final years and his move to America during World War II. Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. As Europe slipped into World War II, Bartok wrote to a friend of how he felt the whole world was drifting into evil, restlessness and terror...and of the need to go far from the vicinity of what he called the "pestilence-ridden lands. Today's programme explores Bartok life as a Hungarian émigré in America and his final years away from the land he'd once loved. String Quartet 6; 3rd movement Ten Hungarian Folksongs: BB42; No. 1: Elindultam szep hazambul (I left my fair homeland) Mikrokosmos; Concerto for Orchestra; 3rd, 4th and 5th movements Piano Concerto No. 3; 3rd movement | |
| 05 LAST | 20050520 | Donald Macleod introduces some works that Smetana wrote towards the end of his life, along with possibly his most famous piece, Vltava from Ma Vlast. The Three Riders Czech Philharmonic Chorus Czech Dances Book 2: Oats, The Bear, The Little Onion, Stamp Dance Jan Novotny (piano) Quartet No 2 in Dm Talich Quartet Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Malcolm Sargent (conductor). | ||
| 05 LAST | 20060623 | With no desire to stay in a country for which his unwavering loyalty apparently counted for nothing, Bartok finally turned his back on Hungary for good, to make a new life for himself and his wife in America. Donald Macleod looks at this poignant, final episode in the life of one of the 20th Century's greatest composers. Seven pieces from Mikrokosmos for 2 pianos (No 2)B退la Bartók (piano)Ditta Pasztory-Bartok (piano)Contrasts (1st mvt: Verbunkos)B退la Bartók (piano)Benny Goodman (clarinet)Jozsef Sigeti (violin)String Quartet No 6 (3rd mvt)Takacs QuartetConcerto for OrchestraAmsterdam Concertgebouw OrchestraAntal Dorati (conductor). | ||
| 05 LAST | 20070622 | With no desire to stay in a country for which his unwavering loyalty apparently counted for nothing, Bartok finally turned his back on Hungary for good, to make a new life for himself and his wife in America. Donald Macleod looks at this poignant final episode in the life of one of the 20th Century's greatest composers. Seven pieces from Mikrokosmos for 2 pianos (No 2) Bela Bartok, Ditta Pasztory-Bartok (piano) Contrasts (1st mvt) Bela Bartok (piano) Benny Goodman (clarinet) Jozsef Sigeti (violin) String Quartet No 6 (3rd mvt) Takacs Quartet Concerto for Orchestra Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra Antal Dorati (conductor). | ||
| 05 LAST | 20090220 | Donald Macleod introduces music from Bartok's final years after his emigration to America. Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Bela Bartok, introducing music from the final years of his life following his emigration to America. Including the work which was described by Koussevitsky as 'the best orchestral piece of the last 25 years', plus a selection of pieces from Mikrokosmos and the final movement of the original version of his sonata for two pianos and percussion. Mikrokosmos (No 142) concerto for orchestra mikrokosmos (nos 142, 149 and 151) sonata for two pianos and percussion (final mvt) Donald Macleod introduces music from bartok's final years after his emigration to america | ||
| 05 LAST | Slide Into War And Exile | 20150130 | 20170824 | Donald Macleod explores Bartok's final years and his move to America during World War II. Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. As Europe slipped into World War II, Bartok wrote to a friend of how he felt the whole world was drifting into evil, restlessness and terror...and of the need to go far from the vicinity of what he called the "pestilence-ridden lands. Today's programme explores Bartok life as a Hungarian émigré in America and his final years away from the land he'd once loved. String Quartet 6; 3rd movement Ten Hungarian Folksongs: BB42; No. 1: Elindultam szep hazambul (I left my fair homeland) Mikrokosmos; Concerto for Orchestra; 3rd, 4th and 5th movements Piano Concerto No. 3; 3rd movement
Donald Macleod explores the life and career of composer Bela Bartok (1881-1945), one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. As Europe slipped into World War II, Bartok wrote to a friend of how he felt the whole world was drifting into evil, restlessness and terror...and of the need to go far from the vicinity of what he called the ""pestilence-ridden lands. Today's programme explores Bartok life as a Hungarian émigré in America and his final years away from the land he'd once loved. |
