Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Donald Macleod explores a golden decade of enduring oratorios that would seal Handel's reputation, gaining a rare insight into the composer's elusive personality.

Donald Macleod explores John Mainwaring's 1760 biography of Handel, focusing on a golden decade of enduring oratorios that would seal his reputation, and gaining a rare insight into the composer's elusive personality.

Part of Radio 3's Composers of the Year 2009 season.

Infernal spirits (Saul)
Paul Agnew (tenor)
Gabrieli Players
Paul McCreesh (director)
Archiv 4745102, CD 3, track 2

All we like sheep (Messiah)
Gabrieli Consort and Players
Paul McCreesh (director)
Archiv 4534642, CD1, track 24

Organ concerto No 4 in F
Matthew Halls (organ)
Sonnerie
Monica Huggett (director)
Avie, AV2055 tracks 1-4

Judas Maccabeus (End of Act 3)
Lisa Saffer (soprano)
Patricia Spence (mezzo-soprano)
David Thomas (bass)
UC Berkeley Chamber Chorus
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Nicholas McGegan (director)
Harmonia Mundi, HMU90707778 CD2 tracks 21-23

Music for the Royal Fireworks
Boston Baroque
Martin Pearlman (director)
Telarc CD80594, tracks 1-5.

1 hour

Last on

Fri 16 Jan 2009 22:00

Broadcasts

  • Fri 16 Jan 2009 12:00
  • Fri 16 Jan 2009 22:00

Vaughan Williams Today

Vaughan Williams Today

Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.