Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 01 | Gideon Klein | 20250127 | Composer of the Week marks 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz with a series commemorating some of the musical voices that were silenced by the atrocities of the Second World War. Across the week, Donald Macleod focuses on the penultimate destination of these musicians, the Nazi concentration camp at Terezin, and the incredible story of creative resistance in the face of unthinkable adversity and persecution which unfolded there. Today, we meet one of the camp's youngest composers, who was murdered 80 years ago today, on the 27th of January 1945, at the age of 25. Czech-born Gideon Klein's musical studies may have been cut short by the war, but he soon became a key figure in the cultural activities of the camp's clandestine musical activities, helping to rescue an old legless piano and writing music for his fellow detainees. Bachuri Le'an Tisa (my Boy, Where are you going?) Counterpoint Robert de Cormier, conductor Lullaby Jitka Hosprová, viola Kateřina Englichová, harp String Quartet, Op 2 (iii. Adagio) Kocian Quartet Divertimento for Winds (iii. Adagio and iv. Allegro) Philharmonia Octet Prague Folk Songs for Male Chorus: 'Už mně koně vyvádějí' (They have untethered my horses) Flemish Radio Choir Bart Van Reyn, conductor Piano Sonata Ivo Kahanek, piano String Trio Goldberg Trio Donald Macleod charts the short life and unstoppable talent of Gideon Klein. Donald Macleod explores a group of composers who were silenced by the atrocities of the Second World War and shaped the unique musical story of Terezin. Today – Gideon Klein. |
| 2025 | 02 | Viktor Ullmann | 20250128 | Composer of the Week marks 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz with a series commemorating some of the musical voices that were silenced by the atrocities of the Second World War. Across the week, Donald Macleod focuses on the penultimate destination of these musicians, the concentration camp at Terezin, and the incredible story of creative resistance in the face of unthinkable adversity and persecution which unfolded there. Today, we meet Viktor Ullmann, who grew up in the Viennese milieu of Mahler and Schoenberg, and was said to have been “walking in their tracks”. Alongside an acclaimed composing career, he worked for spells as a bookshop owner and music critic. Once at Terezin, he ran the New Music Society and – although he didn't know it at the time – he risked his life for one of the most powerful and overt musical allegories to come out of the camp – his opera The Emperor of Atlantis. Sha shtil Counterpoint Robert de Cormier, conductor Piano Sonata No 7 (i. Allegro) Jeanne Golan, piano 6 Lieder, Op 17 (1. Am Himmelfahrt; 5. Wie ist die Nacht) Christine Schafer, soprano Axel Bauni, piano Piano Concerto, Op 25 (i. Allegro con fuoco; ii. Andante tranquillo) Annika Treutler, piano Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra Stephan Frucht, conductor String Quartet No 3, Op 46 Dover Quartet Der Kaiser von Atlantis (final movements) Adrian Eröd, baritone Juliana Zara, soprano Christel Loetsch, mezzo-soprano Johannes Chum, tenor Lars Woldt, bass Munich Radio Orchestra Patrick Hahn, conductor Donald Macleod explores the story, style and satire of Viktor Ullmann. Donald Macleod explores a group of composers who were silenced by the atrocities of the Second World War and shaped the unique musical story of Terezin. Today – Viktor Ullmann. Christel Loetzsch, mezzo-soprano |
| 2025 | 03 | Hans Kr\u00e1sa | 20250129 | Composer of the Week marks 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz with a series commemorating some of the musical voices that were silenced by the atrocities of the Second World War. Across the week, Donald Macleod focuses on the penultimate destination of these musicians, the concentration camp at Terezin, and the incredible story of creative resistance in the face of unthinkable adversity and persecution which unfolded there. Today, we meet Hans Krása. His peers might have described him as privileged, bohemian and lazy – his output was small – but what he did write made an indelible impact. We hear the story of Brundibár -an opera which became an anthem for the children of Terezin and found itself at the heart of an infamous Nazi propaganda film. Brundibár Suite (VII. Allegro molto) Nash Ensemble Tanec for String Trio Black Oak Ensemble Kammermusik for Harpsichord and 7 Instruments Mahan Esfahani, harpsichord Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra Alexander Liebreich, conductor Theme and Variations for String Quartet (1935) Bennewitz Quartet Three Songs to texts of Arthur Rimbaud Christian Gerhaher, baritone Ib Hausmann, clarinet Philip Dukes, viola Josephine Knight, cello Brundibár: Act II Disman Radio Children's Ensemble, Prague Joža Karas, conductor Donald Macleod follows the life of Hans Kr\u00e1sa, whose opera captivated Terezin's children. Donald Macleod explores a group of composers who were silenced by the atrocities of the Second World War and shaped the unique musical story of Terezin. Today – Hans Krása. |
| 2025 | 04 | Pavel Haas | 20250130 | Composer of the Week marks 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz with a series commemorating some of the musical voices that were silenced by the atrocities of the Second World War. Across the week, Donald Macleod focuses on the penultimate destination of these musicians, the concentration camp at Terezín, and the incredible story of creative resistance in the face of unthinkable adversity and persecution which unfolded there. Today, we meet Czech composer Pavel Haas, who studied with Janacek and came from a family of shoemakers and film stars. Despite winning awards and writing innovative music for new mediums, he was fiercely self-critical. Family sacrifices meant he struggled to cope at Terezín, but thanks to the support of his fellow musicians, he did eventually channel his homesickness into his writing. Pripoved (Narrative) Anne Sofie von Otter, soprano Bengt Forsberg, piano Quartet Op 2 “From the Monkey Mountains” ii. Coach, Coachman and Horse: Andante Nash Ensemble Overture for Radio, Op 11 Jens Winkelmann,vocals Jihoon Kim, vocals Gerd Wiemer, vocals Christian Grygas, vocals Dresden State Opera Orchestra Ernst Theis, conductor Šarlatán Suite, Op 14 (excerpt) Brunn Philharmonic Orchestra Israel Yinon, conductor Study for Strings New Czech Chamber Orchestra Jiří Bělohlávek, conductor Four Songs on Chinese Poetry Christian Gerhaher, baritone Gerold Huber, piano Donald Macleod looks at the extraordinary life and output of Czech composer Pavel Haas. Donald Macleod explores a group of composers who were silenced by the atrocities of the Second World War and shaped the unique musical story of Terezín. Today – Pavel Haas. |
| 2025 | 05 LAST | Lullabies, Anthems And Reminiscences | 20250131 | Composer of the Week marks 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz with a series commemorating some of the musical voices that were silenced by the atrocities of the Second World War. Across the week, Donald Macleod focuses on the penultimate destination of these musicians, the concentration camp at Terezin, and the incredible story of creative resistance in the face of unthinkable adversity and persecution which unfolded there. Today, we hear about four composers whose output was small but crucial to the musical fabric at Terezin. Lute-wielding songstress Ilse Weber wrote lullabies for sick and distressed children, and slapstick satirist Karel Švenk brought joy to inmates, penning the camp's unofficial anthem. Plus, two composers who lived to tell their tales and forge their musical careers: František Domažlický and Karel Berman. Ilse Weber: Kleines Wiegenlied Rachel Joselson, mezzo Réne Lecuona, piano Karel Švenk: Rozloučení (from play The Last Cyclist) Lucia Diafero Azzellino, soprano Francesco Lotoro, piano Karel Švenk: Pod destnikem (Under an umbrella); Vesechno jde! (Terezin Hymn) Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo Bengt Forsberg, piano Bebe Risenfors, accordion Ilse Weber: Ich wandre durch Theresienstadt; Wiegala Flemish Radio Choir Bart van Reyn, conductor František Domažlický: Song without Words Guildhall Students František Domažlicky: Suite Danza Prague Spirit Quartet Karel Berman: Piano Suite: Reminiscences (excerpts) Russell Ryan, piano Donald Macleod discovers four composers whose music had a powerful impact on the camp. Donald Macleod explores a group of composers who were silenced by the atrocities of the Second World War and shaped the unique musical story of Terezin. |