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Composer of the Week Episodes

  1. Monday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Art of Procuring a PatronGeorge Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

    1/5 Donald Macleod traces Handel’s early search for patronage.

  2. Tuesday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Elector and/or the KingGeorge Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

    2/5 Donald Macleod follows Handel as he travels from Hanover to London.

  3. Wednesday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Rise and Fall of the Duke of ChandosGeorge Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

    3/5 Donald Macleod explores Handel’s time with the Duke of Chandos.

  4. Next Thursday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Fit for a King, Queen, Princess and PrinceGeorge Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

    4/5 Donald Macleod explores Handel's life at the royal court.

  5. Next Friday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    All for a Good CauseGeorge Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

    5/5 Handel turns music into a public good, away from patronage. With Donald Macleod.

  6. Mon 27 Jul 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Symphonist in the makingAlice Mary Smith (1839-1884)

    1/5 Donald Macleod journeys through the early years of Alice Mary Smith.

  7. Tue 28 Jul 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Marriage on the horizonAlice Mary Smith (1839-1884)

    2/5 Donald Macleod explores the early years of Smith’s marriage to Frederick Meadows White

  8. Wed 29 Jul 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Collaborations and ConcertosAlice Mary Smith (1839-1884)

    3/5 Donald Macleod surveys some of Alice Mary Smith’s compositional collaborations

  9. Thu 30 Jul 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    A Second SymphonyAlice Mary Smith (1839-1884)

    4/5 Donald Macleod traces Smith’s writing of her Second Symphony

  10. Fri 31 Jul 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    An Unexpected PassingAlice Mary Smith (1839-1884)

    5/5 Donald Macleod dives into Smith’s final years and explores her last orchestral works

  11. Mon 3 Aug 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Leopold - FatherWolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

    1/1 Five relationships that shaped Mozart.

  12. Tue 4 Aug 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Nannerl - Sister

    Five relationships that shaped Mozart.

  13. Wed 5 Aug 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Haydn - Mentor

    Who made Mozart? Kate Molleson on five relationships that shaped the man and his music

  14. Thu 6 Aug 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Salieri - Rival

    Five relationships that shaped Mozart. With Kate Molleson.

  15. Fri 7 Aug 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Schikaneder and the Freemasons

    Kate Molleson looks at five relationships that made Mozart. Today, the Freemasons.

  16. Mon 10 Aug 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Noble BeginningsHélène de Montgeroult (1764-1836)

    1/5 Donald Macleod follows Montgeroult as she uses music to navigate her aristocratic society. (R)

  17. Tue 11 Aug 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Revolution RumblesHélène de Montgeroult (1764-1836)

    2/5 Donald Macleod hears how France's Reign of Terror turned Montgeroult's life upside-down. (R)

  18. Wed 12 Aug 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Get Out of Jail CardHélène de Montgeroult (1764-1836)

    3/5 Donald Macleod recounts how Hélène de Montgeroult’s piano playing saved her life.

  19. Thu 13 Aug 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Behind Closed DoorsHélène de Montgeroult (1764-1836)

    4/5 Donald Macleod explores the twists and turns of Montgeroult’s private life. (R)

  20. Fri 14 Aug 2026 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    UnsilencedHélène de Montgeroult (1764-1836)

    5/5 Donald Macleod and Clare Hammond discuss Montgeroult’s powerful musical legacy.