Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 01 | The Thomas Conundrum | 20240708 | Donald Macleod introduces us to young Tom and some of the mysteries surrounding his story. English composer, Thomas Linley the Younger, was destined to become one of the brightest musical stars of eighteenth century. No less a person than Mozart, who was also a personal friend, hailed him as a ‘true genius'. Even so, Linley's life was troubled. He and his siblings were ruthlessly driven by their ambitious father. He saw his beloved sister become fodder for the celebrity-hungry gossip mongers of the British press and must have wondered if he might be next. He was forced to navigate a dangerous atmosphere of prurience and moral suspicion about the private lives of ‘theatre people' like himself. A cloud of mystery hovers over Tom's shocking and early death at the age of just 22. Donald Macleod is joined by Linley's biographer, Tony Scotland, to shine a light on this charming and often enigmatic composer, alongside music by Tom and his circle. Today, Donald introduces us to young Tom and also his colourful family, who'll play a significant role in his many triumphs and struggles to come. Linley the Younger: Music for The Tempest (No 1, Arise! ye spirits of the storm) Julia Gooding, soprano Paul Goodwin, oboe The Parley of Instruments Baroque Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Paul Nicholson Geminiani: Violin Sonata in D Major, Op 5, No 4 (1st & 2nd mvts) Anton Steck, violin Markus Mollenbeck, cello Christian Rieger, harpsichord Linley the Younger: The Song of Moses (extracts) Sophie Daneman, soprano Andrew King, tenor Andrew Dale Forbes, bass Holst Singers, directed by Peter Holman Boyce: Symphony No 7 in B flat major The English Concert, directed by Trevor Pinnock Produced by Chris Taylor for BBC Audio Wales & West |
| 2024 | 02 | Italian Adventures | 20240709 | Donald Macleod follows Tom to Italy, where he's finally able to escape his father's watchful eye. English composer, Thomas Linley The Younger, was destined to become one of the brightest musical stars of eighteenth century. No less a person than Mozart, who was also a personal friend, hailed him as a ‘true genius'. Even so, Linley's life was troubled. He and his siblings were ruthlessly driven by their ambitious father. He saw his beloved sister become fodder for the celebrity-hungry gossip mongers of the British press and must have wondered if he might be next. He was forced to navigate a dangerous atmosphere of prurience and moral suspicion about the private lives of ‘theatre people' like himself. A cloud of mystery hovers over Tom's shocking and early death at the age of just 22. Donald Macleod is joined by Linley's biographer, Tony Scotland, to shine a light on this charming and often enigmatic composer, alongside music by Tom and his circle. Today, Donald sees Tom finish his education in Italy, where he encounters a new mentor, disreputable patrons, and a life-long soul mate in the shape of fellow boy-wonder, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Nardini: Sonata No 1 for 2 Violins in G Major Igor Ruhadze, violin Daria Gorban, violin Ensemble Violini Capricciosi Linley the Younger: To heal the wound a bee had made Linley the Elder: Awake, my Lyre Rufus Müller, tenor Members of Invocation: Florian Deuter, violin; Timothy Roberts, harpsichord; Frances Kelly, Welsh harp Linley the Younger: Sonata in A major Elizabeth Wallfisch Paul Nicholson, harpsichord Linley the Younger: A Lyric Ode on the Fairies, Aerial Beings and Witches of Shakespeare (extracts from Part 1) Julia Gooding (Spirit of Avon), soprano Lorna Anderson, (Fancy), soprano The Parley of Instruments Choir and Orchestra, directed by Paul Nicholson Produced by Chris Taylor for BBC Audio Wales & West Donald Macleod follows Tom to Italy, where he's finally able to escape his father's eye. |
| 2024 | 03 | The Maid Of Bath | 20240710 | Tom returns from Italy to discover his sister has become a celebrity. With Donald Macleod. English composer, Thomas Linley The Younger, was destined to become one of the brightest musical stars of eighteenth century. No less a person than Mozart, who was also a personal friend, hailed him as a ‘true genius'. Even so, Linley's life was troubled. He and his siblings were ruthlessly driven by their ambitious father. He saw his beloved sister become fodder for the celebrity-hungry gossip mongers of the British press and must have wondered if he might be next. He was forced to navigate a dangerous atmosphere of prurience and moral suspicion about the private lives of ‘theatre people' like himself. A cloud of mystery hovers over Tom's shocking and early death at the age of just 22. Donald Macleod is joined by Linley's biographer, Tony Scotland, to shine a light on this charming and often enigmatic composer, alongside music by Tom and his circle. Today, Donald follows the fortunes of Tom's sister, Elizabeth whose beauty and singing talents had made her famous. But Tom is aghast when her notoriety attracts harassment and advances from unwanted suitors. Elizabeth decides to run away; scandal and violence follows and Tom is left wondering at the destructive power of fame Linley the Elder(arr. Borutzki): The Lark Sings High in the Cornfield Julla von Landsberg, soprano Simon Borutzki, recorder Hofkapelle Schloss Seehaus Linley the Younger: Ye nymphs of Albion's beauty-blooming isle (extracts) Linley the Younger: In yonder grove Julia Gooding, soprano The Parley of Instruments Baroque Orchestra directed by Paul Nicholson Linley the Younger: Violin Concerto in F major Mirijam Contzen, violin Bavarian Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Reinhard Goebel Produced by Chris Taylor for BBC Audio Wales & West |
| 2024 | 04 | Caught In The Spotlight | 20240711 | Tom struggles as work, fame and expectations begin to overwhelm him. With Donald Macleod. English composer, Thomas Linley The Younger, was destined to become one of the brightest musical stars of eighteenth century. No less a person than Mozart, who was also a personal friend, hailed him as a ‘true genius'. Even so, Linley's life was troubled. He and his siblings were ruthlessly driven by their ambitious father. He saw his beloved sister become fodder for the celebrity-hungry gossip mongers of the British press and must have wondered if he might be next. He was forced to navigate a dangerous atmosphere of prurience and moral suspicion about the private lives of ‘theatre people' like himself. A cloud of mystery hovers over Tom's shocking and early death at the age of just 22. Donald Macleod is joined by Linley's biographer, Tony Scotland, to shine a light on this charming and often enigmatic composer, alongside music by Tom and his circle. Today, Donald sees the Linley family move to London to take residence at the Theatre Royal. Tom is overworked but a greater worry are the friends, colleagues and supporters who he sees attacked, as homophobia and moral panic infects certain quarters of the press. Will they next turn their poison pens on Tom? Linley the Younger: Overture to The Duenna The Parley of Instruments Baroque Orchestra, directed by Paul Nicholson Linley the Younger: A Lyric Ode on the Fairies, Aerial Beings and Witches of Shakespeare (extracts from parts 1 & 2) Richard Wistreich (fearful observer), bass The Parley of Instruments Choir and Baroque Orchestra, directed by Paul Nicholson Linley the Younger: Let God arise Julia Gooding, soprano Sophie Daneman, soprano Robin Blaze, counter-tenor Andrew King, tenor, Andrew Dale Forbes, bass The Holst Singers, The Parley of Instruments, directed by Peter Holman Linley the Elder: Think not my love, when secret grief Emma Kirkby, soprano Frances Kelly, harp Produced by Chris Taylor for BBC Audio Wales & West Tom struggles as work and his growing fame begin to overwhelm him. With Donald Macleod. |
| 2024 | 05 LAST | Misfortune Or Misadventure | 20240712 | Donald Macleod investigates Tom's early death and asks if it was really as accidental as it was reported. English composer, Thomas Linley The Younger, was destined to become one of the brightest musical stars of eighteenth century. No less a person than Mozart, who was also a personal friend, hailed him as a ‘true genius'. Even so, Linley's life was troubled. He and his siblings were ruthlessly driven by their ambitious father. He saw his beloved sister become fodder for the celebrity-hungry gossip mongers of the British press and must have wondered if he might be next. He was forced to navigate a dangerous atmosphere of prurience and moral suspicion about the private lives of ‘theatre people' like himself. A cloud of mystery hovers over Tom's shocking and early death at the age of just 22. Donald Macleod is joined by Linley's biographer, Tony Scotland, to shine a light on this charming and often enigmatic composer, alongside music by Tom and his circle. Today, Donald reviews some of the unanswered questions that linger over the circumstances of Tom's untimely demise – and Tony Scotland reveals the new evidence he's discovered about what really happened. J.C. Bach: Master Linley's Hornpipe Gerald Gifford, harpsichord Linley the Younger: A Lyric Ode on the Fairies, Aerial Beings and Witches of Shakespeare (Overture) The Parley of Instruments Baroque Orchestra, Paul Nicholson Linley the Younger: Daughter of Heav'n, fair art thou! 'Darthula Julia Gooding, soprano The Parley of Instruments Baroque Orchestra, directed by Paul Nicholson William Linley: Down in the gleamy vale Invocation, directed by Timothy Roberts Linley the Younger, Music for The Tempest (excerpts) Produced by Chris Taylor for BBC Audio Wales & West Donald Macleod investigates Tom's early death and asks if we can be sure it was accidental |