Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | A Revised Legacy | 20181221 | Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of one of the most important Russian composers of his age - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Rimsky-Korsakov's music is filled with lush orchestration and hints of orientalism and folk music. These elements and his role as a leading member of `The Mighty Handful` of composers who sought to forge a truly nationalistic music has led him to be regarded as the main architect of the Russian style of composition we know today. In the final programme of the week, Donald explores Rimsky-Korsakov's legacy, and to what degree the composer was a conscious architect of his own music's reputation via the countless revisions he made of his works. Donald also examines the impact which Rimsky-Korsakov had on the reception of other Russian composers' music overseas. Flight of the Bumblebee (Tsar Saltan) Wynton Marsalis, trumpet Eastman Wind Ensemble Donald Hunsberger, director Maid of Pskov - Overture Chorus of the Kirov Opera Kirov Orchestra Valery Gergiev, conductor Night on the Bare Mountain Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra Mariss Jansons, conductor Polonaise (Christmas Eve Suite) The Philadelphia Orchestra Eugene Ormandy, conductor Mlada: Act III, Scenes 2 and 3 Nina Kulagina (Morena) Chorus & Orchestra of Moscow State Broadcasting Evgeny Svetlanov, conductor Mozart & Salieri: Scene 2 (extract) Nikita Storojev, bass Vladimir Bogachov, tenor I Musici de Montreal Choir Yuli Turovsky, conductor Upon the hills of Georgia, Op.3 Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Wales Donald Macleod explores Rimsky-Korsakov's legacy | |
| 2018 | A Surprising Revolutionary | 20181219 | Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of one of the most important Russian composers of his age - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Rimsky-Korsakov's music is filled with lush orchestration and hints of orientalism and folk music. These elements and his role as a leading member of `The Mighty Handful` of composers who sought to forge a truly nationalistic music has led him to be regarded as the main architect of the Russian style of composition we know today. In Wednesday's programme, Donald examines the acts of rebellion which pepper Rimsky-Korsakov's life, exploring the composer's dual roles as establishment stalwart and revolutionary hero, a position which led, at one point, to the banning of his music in St. Petersburg. Allegro in B flat major (Les Vendredis, Book II) Vertavo Quartet Overture on Russian Themes, Op 28 Seattle Symphony Gerard Schwarz, conductor Symphony No 3: II. Scherzo London Symphony Orchestra Yondani Butt, conductor Kashchey the Immortal: Tableau 3 Konstantin Pluzhnikov, tenor (Kashchey) Marina Shaguch, soprano (The Princess) Larissa Diadkova, mezzo-soprano (Kastcheyevna) Alexander Morozov, baritone (Prince Ivan Korolovitch) Alexander Gergalov, bass (The Storm-Knight) Chorus of the Kirov Opera, St. Petersburg Orchestra of the Kirov Opera Valery Gergiev, conductor Suite from `The Golden Cockerel`: IV. Wedding Feast - Death of King Dodon - Finale Scottish National Opera Neeme J䀀rvi, conductor Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Wales Donald Macleod examines Rimsky's dual role as establishment stalwart and revolutionary | |
| 2018 | Atheist, Christian, Pantheist | 20181220 | Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of one of the most important Russian composers of his age - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Rimsky-Korsakov's music is filled with lush orchestration and hints of orientalism and folk music. These elements and his role as a leading member of `The Mighty Handful` of composers who sought to forge a truly nationalistic music has led him to be regarded as the main architect of the Russian style of composition we know today. Rimsky-Korsakov professed to be an atheist, but wrote some sacred music for the Imperial Court Chapel. In Thursday's programme, Donald explores this claim, and the intriguing links between folk music and religion in the life and music of the man who Stravinsky famously said was 'closed to any religious or metaphysical idea'. Octave (5 Songs `To the Poet`, Op 45) Yuriy Yurchuk, baritone Sergey Rybin, piano May Night - Overture Royal Scottish National Orchestra Neeme J䀀rvi, conductor Snow Maiden: Act IV Finale Anna Netrebko, soprano (Snow Maiden) Vladimir Moroz, baritone (Mizgir) Dmitry Voropaev, tenor (Tsar Berendey) Nikolai Kornev, chorus master Mariinsky Orchestra Val退ry Gergiev, conductor Russian Easter Festival Overture USSR Academic Symphony Orchestra Yevgeny Svetlanov, conductor Chants for Holy Week: Alleluia; Thy Bridal Chamber; Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silent Cappella Romana Alexander Lingas, conductor The Legend of the Invisible City of Kitezh and the Maiden Fevroniya Suite: I. Hymn to Nature Russian National Orchestra Mikhail Pletnev, conductor Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Wales Donald Macleod explores Rimsky-Korsakov's beliefs. | |
| 2018 | The Fantastic World Of Nikolai Andreyevich | 20181218 | Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of one of the most important Russian composers of his age - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Rimsky-Korsakov's music is filled with lush orchestration and hints of orientalism and folk music. These elements and his role as a leading member of `The Mighty Handful` of composers who sought to forge a truly nationalistic music has led him to be regarded as the main architect of the Russian style of composition we know today. In Tuesday's episode, Donald explores Rimsky Korsakov's use of fairy-tales and folklore, the idea of otherness' and the excitement of the exotic in his music - elements which seem to contrast with reports of the man himself. Captivated by the Rose, the Nightingale (4 Songs, Op 2 No 2) Anna Netrebko, soprano Daniel Barenboim, piano Antar: IV. Allegretto - Adagio The Philharmonia Yevgeny Sveltlanov, conductor Skazka, Op 29 BBC Philharmonic Vassily Sinaisky, conductor Capricco Espagnol, Op 34 Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra Jesús Lopez-Cobos, conductor Hymn to the Sun from The Golden Cockerel Aida Garifullina, soprano ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien Cornelius Meister, conductor Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Wales Donald Macleod explores the idea of the exotic in Rimsky-Korsakov's works | |
| 2018 | The Sea | 20181217 | Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of one of the most important Russian composers of his age - Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Rimsky-Korsakov's music is filled with lush orchestration and hints of orientalism and folk music. These elements and his role as a leading member of `The Mighty Handful` of composers who sought to forge a truly nationalistic music has led him to be regarded as the main architect of the Russian style of composition we know today. In Monday's episode, Donald explores Rimsky-Korsakov's relationship with the sea, which began as a childhood obsession, before an early naval career, and a civilian job as Inspector of Russia's Naval Bands brought him into closer proximity to the ocean. Donald also ponders what the ocean represented for Rimsky and for his largely landlocked Russian audience, alongside the various evocations of the sea in his music. By the Sea, Op 46: The Wave Breaks into a Spray Dmitri Hvorostovsky, baritone Mikhail Arkadiev, piano Scheherazade (I. The Sea and Sinbad's Ship) Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra Mariss Jansons, conductor From Homer Op.60 Svetlana Sizova, mezzo-soprano Tatiana Fedotova, soprano Chorus of the Moscow Academy of Choral Art & Moscow Symphony Orchestra Vladimir Ziva, conductor Symphony No 1 (II. Andante tranquillo) Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra Neeme J䀀rvi, conductor Sadko, Op. 6 L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande Ernest Ansermet, conductor Trombone Concerto (I. Allegro Vivace) Christian Lindberg, trombone Kosei Wind Orchestra Chikara Imamura, conductor Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Wales Donald Macleod explores Rimsky-Korsakov's relationship with the sea. | |
| 2024 | 01 | Casting Off | 20240520 | From the flight of a bumblebee to a visit to Spain, Donald Macleod begins this week's voyage around the life and music of the colourful Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. In November 1980, British punk rock group The Damned released their Black Album. On Side 3, around 9 minutes in, the work of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov makes an appearance – the unmistakable double-stopping of a violin stating Scheherazade's theme. What might Rimsky-Korsakov have thought of this extraordinary appropriation? It's not unreasonable to guess that he'd have been delighted: two reasons stand out. First, that his life's work attests to a fascination with, and determination to create, vivid musical images; and second, his dedication to pedagogy, to the support and encouragement of subsequent generations of musicians. He was a composer who championed musical experiment and exploration. This week, Donald Macleod traverses the dramatic and vivid musical landscapes of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: a vital, fascinating, and perhaps under-appreciated figure in the evolution of the canon of western art music. His life alone was extraordinary: beginning as a cadet in the Tsar's navy, it ended soon after the tumult of the 1905 revolution; the prospect of far greater upheaval, national and international, looming. The series celebrates many of Rimsky-Korsakov's most popular favourites, including the Flight of the Bumblebee, the Russian Festival Overture and Capriccio Espagnol, and Scheherazade, which is heard in instalments across the week: there also are opportunities to hear some of the symphonic works and chamber music; and a focus on the operas, which perhaps deserve to be heard more often than they generally are. Today, Donald Macleod reflects on the milieu into which Rimsky-Korsakov was born, a childhood which witnessed the building of the St Petersburg to Moscow railway, the presence of many of Russia's literary greats, and a surging desire to express national identity through culture. Isaac Stern, violin Columbia Symphony Orchestra Milton Katims, conductor The Tsar of Sultan Suite, Op 57 (3rd mvt, The Three Wonders) Seattle Symphony Orchestra Gerald Schwartz, conductor Symphony No 1, Op 1 Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra Neeme Järvi, conductor Capriccio Espagnol, Op 34 (excerpts) London Philharmonic Orchestra Alexander Lazarev, conductor Produced by Lyndon Jones for BBC Audio Wales and West Donald Macleod surveys the life and music of Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. From the flight of a bumblebee to a visit to Spai,; Donald Macleod begins this week's voyage around the life and music of the colourful Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. |
| 2024 | 02 | Building A Reputation | 20240521 | From a night on a bare mountain to 1001 nights in Asia, Donald Macleod continues exploring the life and evocative musical images of Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. This week, Donald Macleod traverses the dramatic and vivid musical landscapes of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: a vital, fascinating, and perhaps under-appreciated figure in the evolution of the canon of western art music. His life alone was extraordinary: beginning as a cadet in the Tsar's navy, it ended soon after the tumult of the 1905 revolution; the prospect of far greater upheaval, national and international, looming. The series celebrates many of Rimsky-Korsakov's most popular favourites, including the Flight of the Bumblebee, the Russian Festival Overture and Capriccio Espagnol, and Scheherazade, which is heard in instalments across the week: there also are opportunities to hear some of the symphonic works and chamber music; and a focus on the operas, which perhaps deserve to be heard more often than they generally are. Tuesday's programme looks at his friendship with fellow composer Modest Mussorgsky and the other members of the so-called Mighty Handful. The Maid of Pskov: Overture State Academic Symphony Orchestra Evgeniy Svetlanov, conductor Mussorgsky arr. Rimsky-Korsakov Night on the Bare Mountain National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine Theodore Kuchar, conductor Legend of Sadko, Op 5 Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra David Zinman, conductor Quintet Nash Ensemble Scheherazade, Op 35 (1st mvt, The Sea and Sinbad's Ship) Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra Vassily Petrenko, conductor Produced by Lyndon Jones for BBC Audio Wales and West Donald Macleod surveys the life and music of Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. |
| 2024 | 03 | Consolidating | 20240522 | Donald Macleod focuses on the career of Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and how his music drew upon and depicted centuries of Russian legends and folklore. This week, Donald Macleod traverses the dramatic and vivid musical landscapes of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: a vital, fascinating, and perhaps under-appreciated figure in the evolution of the canon of western art music. His life alone was extraordinary: beginning as a cadet in the Tsar's navy, it ended soon after the tumult of the 1905 revolution; the prospect of far greater upheaval, national and international, looming. The series celebrates many of Rimsky-Korsakov's most popular favourites, including the Flight of the Bumblebee, the Russian Festival Overture and Capriccio Espagnol, and Scheherazade, which is heard in instalments across the week: there also are opportunities to hear some of the symphonic works and chamber music; and a focus on the operas, which perhaps deserve to be heard more often than they generally are. Today, Donald Macleod considers the influence of Russian mythology and folk stories on Rimsky-Korsakov's musical imagery. The Golden Cloud Slept, Op 3, No 3 Bolshoi Theatre Children's Chorus Andrey Zaboronok, director Trombone Concerto in B flat major Christian Lindberg, trombone Kosei Wind Orchestra Chikara Imamura, conductor Symphony No 3, Op 32 (3rd & 4th mvts) Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra Neeme Järvi, conductor The Tatar Captivity, Op 18, No 2 Yekaterinburg Philharmonic Choir Andrei Petrenko, director Scheherazade, Op 35 (2nd mvt, The Story of the Kalendar Prince) Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra Vassily Petrenko, conductor The Octave, Op 45, No 3 Of What I Dream in the Quiet Night, Op 40, No 3 The Clouds Begin to Scatter, Op 42, No 3 Daniil Shtoda, tenor Larissa Gergieva, piano Produced by Lyndon Jones for BBC Audio Wales and West Donald Macleod surveys the life and music of Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. |
| 2024 | 04 | A Watershed | 20240523 | A gopak, a string quartet, a clutch of operas and a trip to Asia find their way into Donald Macleod's look at the life and music of Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. This week, Donald Macleod traverses the dramatic and vivid musical landscapes of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: a vital, fascinating, and perhaps under-appreciated figure in the evolution of the canon of western art music. His life alone was extraordinary: beginning as a cadet in the Tsar's navy, it ended soon after the tumult of the 1905 revolution; the prospect of far greater upheaval, national and international, looming. The series celebrates many of Rimsky-Korsakov's most popular favourites, including the Flight of the Bumblebee, the Russian Festival Overture and Capriccio Espagnol, and Scheherazade, which is heard in instalments across the week: there also are opportunities to hear some of the symphonic works and chamber music; and a focus on the operas, which perhaps deserve to be heard more often than they generally are. Today, literature and the assimilation of folk music come in to focus. Mussorgsky arr. Rimsky-Korsakov Gopak from Sorochintsi Fair National Orchestra of Ukraine Theodore Kuchar, conductor Russian Easter Festival Overture, Op 36 Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra Vasily Petrenko, conductor String Quartet in F major, Op 12 (3rd mvt) Lyric Quartet Mlada Suite Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra Donald Johanos, conductor The Snow Maiden: Prologue; Dance of the birds Dzintars Women's Choir Latvian National Symphony Orchestra Alexander Vilumanis, conductor Scheherazade, Op 35 (3rd mvt, The Young Prince and the Young Princess) Produced by Lyndon Jones for BBC Audio Wales and West Donald Macleod surveys the life and music of Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. |
| 2024 | 05 LAST | Summing Up | 20240524 | This week, Donald Macleod traverses the dramatic and vivid musical landscapes of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov: a vital, fascinating, and perhaps under-appreciated figure in the evolution of the canon of western art music. His life alone was extraordinary: beginning as a cadet in the Tsar's navy, it ended soon after the tumult of the 1905 revolution; the prospect of far greater upheaval, national and international, looming. The series celebrates many of Rimsky-Korsakov's most popular favourites, including the Flight of the Bumblebee, the Russian Festival Overture and Capriccio Espagnol, and Scheherazade, which is heard in instalments across the week: there also are opportunities to hear some of the symphonic works and chamber music; and a focus on the operas, which perhaps deserve to be heard more often than they generally are. Today, we complete our series of daily instalments of Scheherazade, sample some of the late operas, reflect on Rimsky-Korsakov's legacy, and also consider the span of a life that began under the Tsars and ended in the midst of Bolshevik revolutionary upheaval. Scheherazade, Op 35 (Finale) Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra Vasily Petrenko, conductor Against the Cruel Crag from Sadko Feodor Chaliapin, bass Studio Orchestra Albert Coates, conductor The Invisible City of Kitzeh Suite (A Hymn to Nature) Royal Scottish National Orchestra Neeme Järvi, conductor The Golden Cockerel Suite Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra David Zinman, conductor Four Songs, Op 2 (No 2, The Nightingale and the Rose) Greta Bradman, soprano Adelaide Symphony Orchestra Luke Dollman, conductor Produced by Lyndon Jones for BBC Audio Wales and West Donald Macleod surveys the life and music of Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Concluding his look at the life and music of Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Donald Macleod reflects on how a life begun under a Tsar ended in the ferment of revolution. |