Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 01 | Destined For Greatness | 20240513 | Maconchy explodes onto Britain's musical landscape, dazzling teachers, contemporaries and some influential gatekeepers. Elizabeth Maconchy is surely the greatest composer of string quartets ever to emerge in the British Isles; and yet her music is often ignored in favour of lesser works by more famous British composers. So says Maconchy's biographer, Erica Siegel, who joins Kate Molleson to explore the life and works of this key figure in Britain and Ireland's musical story. Across the week, Kate and Erica set out to show us why Maconchy deserves much more of our attention. We'll hear stories of personal crises, public apathy and outrageous institutional sexism, and how Maconchy met each challenge with characteristic grace and perseverance. Her works fizz with invention and purpose and she described her own music as “impassioned argument ?. Today, Kate and Erica see Maconchy shine as a star student at the Royal College of Music and her music is selected to be performed at the Proms. She confides to her friend: “I want to be very gay – or else quite wild – but a rather dull middle course is awful, don't you think? ? String Quartet No 2: IV. Allegro Hanson String Quartet Clarinet Quintet: III. Lento, IV. Allegro molto Thea King, clarinet The Britten String Quartet Four Shakespeare Songs: No 1, Come Away, Death James Geer, tenor Ronald Woodley, piano The Land - A Suite for Orchestra BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Odaline de la Martinez Concertino No 2 for Piano and String Orchestra Simon Callaghan, piano BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Martyn Brabbins Maconchy explodes onto Britain's music scene, dazzling her teachers. With Kate Molleson. Maconchy explodes onto Britain's musical landscape, dazzling teachers, contemporaries and some influential gatekeepers. With Kate Molleson. |
| 2024 | 02 | Rising Star | 20240514 | Maconchy faces some harsh realities as she leaves college and seeks to launch her career. Elizabeth Maconchy is surely the greatest composer of string quartets ever to emerge in the British Isles; and yet her music is often ignored in favour of lesser works by more famous British composers. So says Maconchy's biographer, Erica Siegel, who joins Kate Molleson to explore the life and works of this key figure in Britain and Ireland's musical story. Across the week, Kate and Erica set out to show us why Maconchy deserves much more of our attention. We'll hear stories of personal crises, public apathy and outrageous institutional sexism, and how Maconchy met each challenge with characteristic grace and perseverance. Her works fizz with invention and purpose and she described her own music as “impassioned argument ?. Today, Kate and Erica follow Maconchy as she sets out to capitalise on her spectacular Proms debut. A sudden health emergency threatens to derail her plans and Maconchy is frustrated when concert promoters, including the BBC, seem reluctant to take on her music. Could her gender have anything to do with it? String Quartet No 1: IV. Presto Hanson String Quartet Concertino for Piano and Chamber Orchestra: II. Andante sostenuto Clélia Iruzun, piano BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Odaline de la Martinez Oboe Quintet George Caird, Oboe Simon Blendis, violin Alison Dods, violin Louise Williams, viola Jane Salmon, cello Sonata for Viola and Piano David Owen Norris, piano String Quartet No 3 Maconchy faces some harsh realities as she works to build a career. With Kate Molleson. Maconchy faces some harsh realities as she leaves college and seeks to launch her career. With Kate Molleson. |
| 2024 | 03 | Digging For Britain | 20240515 | Maconchy is forced to shift her priorities from music to the war effort. Elizabeth Maconchy is surely the greatest composer of string quartets ever to emerge in the British Isles; and yet her music is often ignored in favour of lesser works by more famous British composers. So says Maconchy's biographer, Erica Siegel, who joins Kate Molleson to explore the life and works of this key figure in Britain and Ireland's musical story. Across the week, Kate and Erica set out to show us why Maconchy deserves much more of our attention. We'll hear stories of personal crises, public apathy and outrageous institutional sexism, and how Maconchy met each challenge with characteristic grace and perseverance. Her works fizz with invention and purpose and she described her own music as “impassioned argument ?. Today, Britain goes to war. Musical activities in London grind to a halt, and several important performances of Maconchy's music are cancelled. Meanwhile, our composer struggles to cope with a new born baby, and a home that now sits under the flight path of the German bombers. Nocturne BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Tadaaki Otaka Dialogue for Piano and Orchestra: II. Allegro moderato & IV. Presto Martin Jones, piano BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by John Andrews Two Dances from Puck Fair BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Barry Wordsworth String Quartet No 5: II. Presto & III. Lento espressivo Bingham String Quartet Concertino for Bassoon and String Orchestra Laurence Perkins, bassoon City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by William Goodchild Maconchy is forced to shift her focus from music to the war effort. With Kate Molleson. Maconchy is forced to shift her priorities from music to the war effort. With Kate Molleson. |
| 2024 | 04 | Departures | 20240516 | Depressed and disenchanted, Maconchy is forced to contemplate her artistic choices and decide if it's time to make a change. Elizabeth Maconchy is surely the greatest composer of string quartets ever to emerge in the British Isles; and yet her music is often ignored in favour of lesser works by more famous British composers. So says Maconchy's biographer, Erica Siegel, who joins Kate Molleson to explore the life and works of this key figure in Britain and Ireland's musical story. Across the week, Kate and Erica set out to show us why Maconchy deserves much more of our attention. We'll hear stories of personal crises, public apathy and outrageous institutional sexism, and how Maconchy met each challenge with characteristic grace and perseverance. Her works fizz with invention and purpose and she described her own music as “impassioned argument ?. Today, Maconchy scores a hit with her patriotic overture celebrating Queen Elizabeth's coronation. Nevertheless, she find herself afflicted by a creeping disillusionment. She decides that a drastic change of direction is needed to renew her creative spark and seeks inspiration in a surprising place. Many of her friends are baffled when she unveils her new opera: a bawdy sex comedy! String Quartet No 7: IV. Scherzo I Bingham String Quartet Proud Thames Overture London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vernon Handley The Sofa (excerpts) Nicholas Sharratt, tenor (Dominic) Sarah Tynan, soprano (Monique) George von Bergen, baritone (Edward) Independent Opera Independent Opera Ensemble, conducted by Dominic Wheeler The Departure (excerpts) Louise Poole, mezzo-soprano (Julia) Håkon Vramsmo, baritone (Mark) Serenata Concertante Manoug Parikian, violin London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Vernon Handley Depressed and disenchanted, Maconchy decides to change direction. With Kate Molleson. Depressed and disenchanted, Maconchy is forced to contemplate her artistic choices and decide if it's time to make a change. With Kate Molleson. |
| 2024 | 05 LAST | No Escape | 20240517 | As she reaches retirement age, Maconchy admits that 'composing is a life sentence'. Elizabeth Maconchy is surely the greatest composer of string quartets ever to emerge in the British Isles; and yet her music is often ignored in favour of lesser works by more famous British composers. So says Maconchy's biographer, Erica Siegel, who joins Kate Molleson to explore the life and works of this key figure in Britain and Ireland's musical story. Across the week, Kate and Erica set out to show us why Maconchy deserves much more of our attention. We'll hear stories of personal crises, public apathy and outrageous institutional sexism, and how Maconchy met each challenge with characteristic grace and perseverance. Her works fizz with invention and purpose and she described her own music as “impassioned argument ?. Today, Kate and Erica examine how Maconchy refused to let old age quench her creative fire. They assess her profile today, and discuss why she remains a composer whose legacy is yet to be properly recognised and appreciated. There is no rose Choir of St John's College Cambridge, directed by Andrew Nethsingha Trittico The Sheba Sound Epyllion Raphael Wallfisch, Cello South-west German Chamber Orchestra Pforzheim, conducted by William Boughton Morning, Noon and Night Lucy Wakeford, harp String Quartet No 13 'Quartetto Corto Mistry Quartet The ageing Maconchy admits that 'composing is a life sentence'. With Kate Molleson. As she reaches retirement age, Maconchy admits that 'composing is a life sentence'. With Kate Molleson. As she reaches retirement age, Maconchy admits that “composing is a life sentence ?. The ageing Maconchy admits that 'composing is a life sentence\u201d. With Kate Molleson As she reaches retirement age, Maconchy admits that “composing is a life sentence ?. With Kate Molleson |