Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Episode 4

Donald Macleod talks to John McCabe about the challenges of composing music for others. Plus a performance of the composer's Eighth Piano Study.

Donald Macleod meets British composer, pianist, writer and critic John McCabe, who performs in the studio and discusses his life at the age of 70.

McCabe talks about the challenges of writing for particular players. There is a recording of Scenes in America Deserta, composed for the King's Singers, and the Flute Concerto, originally written for James Galway. Plus two more of the composer's recent studies for piano - one performed in the studio by McCabe himself, and one by his great friend, and dedicatee of both pieces, Japanese pianist Tamami Honma.

McCabe: Study No 9: Snowfall in Winter (Hommage a Debussy)
John McCabe (piano)
SPECIALLY RECORDED

McCabe: Study No 8: Scrunch (Omaggio a Domenico Scarlatti, 2000-1)
Tamami Honma (piano)
METIER MSVCD92071, Tr 7

Copland: Danzon Cubano, for two pianos
Tamami Honma, John McCabe (pianos)
DUTTON CDSA6881, Tr 1

Mc Cabe: Silence, Heat and Light I; Cycling (Scenes in America Deserta - 1987); Cosanti (Buildings and Works of Man)
The King's Singers
MERIDIAN CDE84550, Tr 2

McCabe: Concerto for flute and orchestra (1989-90)
Emily Beynon (flute)
´óÏó´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra
Vernon Handley (conductor)
HYPERION CDA67089, Tr 13-22.

1 hour

Last on

Thu 28 May 2009 22:00

Broadcasts

  • Thu 28 May 2009 12:00
  • Thu 28 May 2009 22:00

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.