Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 01 | A Man Of Mystery | 20231023 | Donald Macleod takes a fresh look at the composer behind a concert favourite, the Symphonie espagnole, first brought to public attention by the virtuoso violinist Pablo de Sarasate. Even if you know the name, it's possible you might not be able to place the French composer Edouard Lalo date-wise. He was born in Lille in 1823. Berlioz was his senior in age by some twenty years, Saint-Sa뀀ns twelve years his junior. Lalo has a direct contemporary in the shape of C退sar Franck, another composer who preferred to stay out of the limelight. As a musician, Lalo cut an independent path, preferring to complete his music studies privately rather than following the accepted route of attending the Paris Conservatoire. Lalo had a retiring nature, a man who appears to have preferred the quiet life. That doesn't mean he wasn't sociable. He seems to have been generally well liked. He lived in Paris from the age of sixteen and mixed with and knew all the leading musical personalities of the day. Aside from the Symphonie espagnole, he wrote several operas, a ballet, a symphony, a whole number of orchestral and chamber works including three piano trios and a string quartet, and something in the region of 30 songs. Trying to get a handle on Lalo isn't straightforward. The first letter that's been preserved dates from 1848, by which time Lalo was in his late twenties. His son Pierre was a primary source of information about his father, but more recent research indicates the picture he drew seems to have been somewhat rose-tinted. The first full length biography in English has yet to be published. Donald Macleod sets about mapping the life and the music of this elusive, yet significant figure in French musical history in a survey that takes us from Lalo's early experiences in Lille, where he first met Berlioz, to his eventual triumph, age sixty on the opera stage with Le roi d'Ys. In today's episode Lalo decides to pursue a career in music, rather dashing his father's hopes that he would follow in the family's military tradition. Guitarre, op 28 arr. Gabriel Piern退 Philippe Graffin, violin Ulster Orchestra Thierry Fischer, conductor Symphonie espagnole in D minor, op 21 I : Allegro non troppo Ren退 Capu瀀on, violin Orchestre de Paris Paavo J䀀rvi, conductor Le roi d'Ys - Overture BBC Philharmonic Yan Pascal Tortelier, conductor Violin sonata in D major, op 12 (Grand duo concertant) 2nd movement Variations Nikita Boriso-Glebsky, violin Jean-Philippe Collard, piano Piano Trio no 2 III: Minuetto: Allegro Leonore Piano Trio Violin Concerto no 1 in F major, op 20 I: Andante - Allegro Jean-Jacques Kantorow, violin Granada City Orchestra Kees Bakels, conductor Donald Macleod takes a fresh look at the composer behind Symphonie espagnole. Donald Macleod takes a fresh look at the composer behind a concert favourite, the Symphonie espagnole, first made famous by virtuoso violinist Pablo de Sarasate. |
| 2023 | 02 | An Independent Spirit | 20231024 | Donald Macleod follows the budding musician to Paris, where he pursues his dream of devoting his life to music, as a violinist and as a composer. Music includes his Cello Concerto. Even if you know the name, it's possible you might not be able to place the French composer Edouard Lalo date-wise. He was born in Lille in 1823. Berlioz was his senior in age by some twenty years, Saint-Sa뀀ns twelve years his junior. Lalo has a direct contemporary in the shape of C退sar Franck, another composer who preferred to stay out of the limelight. As a musician, Lalo cut an independent path, preferring to complete his music studies privately rather than following the accepted route of attending the Paris Conservatoire. Lalo had a retiring nature, a man who appears to have preferred the quiet life. That doesn't mean he wasn't sociable. He seems to have been generally well liked. He lived in Paris from the age of sixteen and mixed with and knew all the leading musical personalities of the day. Aside from the Symphonie espagnole, he wrote several operas, a ballet, a symphony, a whole number of orchestral and chamber works including three piano trios and a string quartet, and something in the region of 30 songs. Trying to get a handle on Lalo isn't straightforward. The first letter that's been preserved dates from 1848, by which time Lalo was in his late twenties. His son Pierre was a primary source of information about his father, but more recent research indicates the picture he drew seems to have been somewhat rose-tinted. The first full length biography in English has yet to be published. Donald Macleod sets about mapping the life and the music of this elusive, yet significant figure in French musical history in a survey that takes us from Lalo's early experiences in Lille, where he first met Berlioz, to his eventual triumph, age sixty on the opera stage with Le roi d'Ys. Lalo's building block approach to learning the art of composing starts to pay off as he builds his confidence writing songs and then chamber works. Deux impromptus, op 4 I : Esp退rance Maria Dueကas, violin Itamar Golan, piano Symphonie Espagnole in D minor, op 21 II : Scherzando - Allegro molto Ren退 Capu瀀on, violin Orchestre de Paris Paavo J䀀rvi, conductor Trois m退lodies La fenaison Six romance populaires IV : Si j'退tais petit oiseau I : La pauvre femme Teresa Zylis-Gara, soprano Christian Ivaldi, piano Piano Quintet ['Grand Quintette' in A? major] 2nd movement Dorian Lamotte, violin Agn耀s Reverdy, violin Marc Desmons, viola Florent Audibert, cello Fran瀀ois Dumont, piano Cello Concerto in D minor I. Pr退lude. Lento - Allegro maestoso Johannes Moser, violin Prague Philharmonia Jakub Hr?a, conductor Rapsodie norv退gienne Monte-Carlo National Opera Orchestra Paul Paray, conductor Donald Macleod follows the budding musician's adventures during his early years in Paris. |
| 2023 | 03 | A Fiasco Over Fiesque | 20231025 | Donald Macleod discovers why Lalo's first opera remained unperformed for over a century, with excerpts from this exciting political drama and the folk-influenced Concerto Russe. Even if you know the name, it's possible you might not be able to place the French composer Edouard Lalo date-wise. He was born in Lille in 1823. Berlioz was his senior in age by some twenty years, Saint-Sa뀀ns twelve years his junior. Lalo has a direct contemporary in the shape of C退sar Franck, another composer who preferred to stay out of the limelight. As a musician, Lalo cut an independent path, preferring to complete his music studies privately rather than following the accepted route of attending the Paris Conservatoire. Lalo had a retiring nature, a man who appears to have preferred the quiet life. That doesn't mean he wasn't sociable. He seems to have been generally well liked. He lived in Paris from the age of sixteen and mixed with and knew all the leading musical personalities of the day. Aside from the Symphonie espagnole, he wrote several operas, a ballet, a symphony, a whole number of orchestral and chamber works including three piano trios and a string quartet, and something in the region of 30 songs. Trying to get a handle on Lalo isn't straightforward. The first letter that's been preserved dates from 1848, by which time Lalo was in his late twenties. His son Pierre was a primary source of information about his father, but more recent research indicates the picture he drew seems to have been somewhat rose-tinted. The first full length biography in English has yet to be published. Donald Macleod sets about mapping the life and the music of this elusive, yet significant figure in French musical history in a survey that takes us from Lalo's early experiences in Lille, where he first met Berlioz, to his eventual triumph, age sixty on the opera stage with Le roi d'Ys. The stage was a platform every French composer wanted to conquer. In 1867 a competition was announced. Could this be Lalo's path to success? Divertissement no 3: Andantino Basle Sinfonietta Giancarlo Andretta, conductor Piano Trio no 3 in A minor, op 26 II: Presto Leonore Piano Trio Sonata for cello and piano I: Andante non troppo Maria Kliegel, cello Bernd Glemser, piano Fiesque (Act 1) Je ne puis supporter Michelle Canniccioni, soprano, Leonora The National Opera Orchestra of Montpellier Latvian Radio Choir Alain Altinoglu, conductor Fiesque (Act 2, tableau 1 and 2) Comment diable Oui vengeons-nous + applause Cette nuit Roberto Alagna, tenor, Fiesco Jean-S退bastien Bou, baritone, Hassan Franck Ferrari, baritone, Verrina II: Chants russe III. Intermezzo Elina Buksha, violin Li耀ge Philharmonic Orchestra Jean-Jacques Kantorow |
| 2023 | 04 | A Scandal Erupts | 20231026 | Donald Macleod considers why the bitter arguments of the opposing factions present at the first night of Lalo's only ballet, Namouna, overshadowed the brilliance of the music. Even if you know the name, it's possible you might not be able to place the French composer Edouard Lalo date-wise. He was born in Lille in 1823. Berlioz was his senior in age by some twenty years, Saint-Sa뀀ns twelve years his junior. Lalo has a direct contemporary in the shape of C退sar Franck, another composer who preferred to stay out of the limelight. As a musician, Lalo cut an independent path, preferring to complete his music studies privately rather than following the accepted route of attending the Paris Conservatoire. Lalo had a retiring nature, a man who appears to have preferred the quiet life. That doesn't mean he wasn't sociable. He seems to have been generally well liked. He lived in Paris from the age of sixteen and mixed with and knew all the leading musical personalities of the day. Aside from the Symphonie espagnole, he wrote several operas, a ballet, a symphony, a whole number of orchestral and chamber works including three piano trios and a string quartet, and something in the region of 30 songs. Trying to get a handle on Lalo isn't straightforward. The first letter that's been preserved dates from 1848, by which time Lalo was in his late twenties. His son Pierre was a primary source of information about his father, but more recent research indicates the picture he drew seems to have been somewhat rose-tinted. The first full length biography in English has yet to be published. Donald Macleod sets about mapping the life and the music of this elusive, yet significant figure in French musical history in a survey that takes us from Lalo's early experiences in Lille, where he first met Berlioz, to his eventual triumph, age sixty on the opera stage with Le roi d'Ys. Lalo wasn't that keen on writing a ballet. He'd only been offered the job to make up for not having his opera performed. In the end the venture proved so stressful, it cost him his health. Namouna (Act 1) Valse de la Cigarette Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Yondani Butt, conductor Symphony in G minor III: Adagio Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra Kees Bakels, conductor Namouna Suite no 2 ` I. Danse marocaine II. Mazurka III. La Sieste V. Pas de Cymbales V. Danse des esclaves Spanish Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra Carlos Kalmar, conductor Piano Trio in A Minor, Op. 26 I: Allegro appassionato Gryphon Trio Cello Concerto in D minor II: Intermezzo III: Introduction: Andante - Allegro vivace Johannes Moser, violin Prague Philharmonia Jakub Hr?a, conductor Donald Macleod unravels the bitter arguments opposing forces hurled at Lalo's only ballet. |
| 2023 | 05 LAST | A Winning Formula | 20231027 | Donald Macleod finds Lalo finally enjoying success when he hits the jackpot with his second opera. Music includes excerpts from Le roi d'Ys, and his only string quartet. Even if you know the name, it's possible you might not be able to place the French composer Edouard Lalo date-wise. He was born in Lille in 1823. Berlioz was his senior in age by some twenty years, Saint-Sa뀀ns twelve years his junior. Lalo has a direct contemporary in the shape of C退sar Franck, another composer who preferred to stay out of the limelight. As a musician, Lalo cut an independent path, preferring to complete his music studies privately rather than following the accepted route of attending the Paris Conservatoire. Lalo had a retiring nature, a man who appears to have preferred the quiet life. That doesn't mean he wasn't sociable. He seems to have been generally well liked. He lived in Paris from the age of sixteen and mixed with and knew all the leading musical personalities of the day. Aside from the Symphonie espagnole, he wrote several operas, a ballet, a symphony, a whole number of orchestral and chamber works including three piano trios and a string quartet, and something in the region of 30 songs. Trying to get a handle on Lalo isn't straightforward. The first letter that's been preserved dates from 1848, by which time Lalo was in his late twenties. His son Pierre was a primary source of information about his father, but more recent research indicates the picture he drew seems to have been somewhat rose-tinted. The first full length biography in English has yet to be published. Donald Macleod sets about mapping the life and the music of this elusive, yet significant figure in French musical history in a survey that takes us from Lalo's early experiences in Lille, where he first met Berlioz, to his eventual triumph, age sixty on the opera stage with Le roi d'Ys. After the disastrous first night of his only ballet Namouna, Lalo was in a state of some anxiety at the premiere of his opera. His cast and the director of the opera company weren't reassuring! Overture to Le roi d'Ys (excerpt) BBC Philharmonic Yan Pascal Tortelier, conductor Vainement, ma bien-aim退e (Le roi d'Ys, Act 3) Jonas Kauffmann, tenor Bavarian State Opera Bertrand de Billy, conductor String Quartet in E flat I: Allegro vivo Quatuor Simon Piano Concerto in F minor I: Lento-Allegro Pierre-Alain Volondat, piano Tapiola Sinfonietta Kees Bakels, conductor Le roi d'Ys (Act 1) Margared, 䀀 ma soeur! Rozenn! que dis-tu donc ? Ah, sous ce cri d'orgueil... Je n'ai pas Je n'ai pas à pleurer tout bas Barbara Hendricks, Rozenn, Soprano Delores Ziegler, Margared, Mezzo soprano French Radio Philharmonic Orchestra Armin Jordan, conductor Le roi d'Ys (Act 3 Tableau 1 excerpt) Voici l'heure, viens Vois ton amant Cher Mylio! Marcel Vanaud, Karnac, baritone Eduardo Villa, Mylio, tenor French Radio Chorus V: Rondo René Capuçon, violin Orchestre de Paris Paavo Järvi, conductor Donald Macleod finds Lalo enjoying success when he hits the jackpot with his second opera. |