Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Donald Macleod explores the music of Janacek's last year, when he decided to start a new life with his muse Kamila - with tragic consequences.

After more than a decade of lusting after Kamila Stosslova, Janacek was finally ready to leave his long-suffering wife. But there was to be no Indian summer of happiness for the 74-year old composer...

Donald Macleod presents the music of Janacek's last 12 months, including the String Quartet "Intimate Letters" - a musical evocation of the hundreds of letters the love-struck composer sent his muse over the course of his infatuation. He also presents music from Janacek's last - and bleakest - opera, "From The House Of The Dead".

1 hour

Last on

Fri 26 Feb 2010 22:00

More episodes

Next

You are at the last episode

See all episodes from Composer of the Week

Music Played

  • Leos Jan谩膷ek

    A Recollection (1928)

    Performer: H氓kon Austb酶 (piano)

    • BRILLIANT 92295.
  • Leos Jan谩膷ek

    String Quartet no. 2 "Intimate Letters" (1928)

    Performer: Talich Quartet

    • CALLIOPE CAL 9333.
  • Leos Jan谩膷ek

    From The House Of The Dead (Act II excerpt) (1927-8, fp 1930)

    Performer: Jaroslava Jansk谩 (Alyeya) Performer: Dalibor Jedlicka (Goryanchikov) Performer: Ivo Zidek (Skuratov) Performer: Jaroslav Sousek (Don Juan) Performer: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and State Opera Chorus Performer: Sir Charles Mackerras

    • DECCA 4303752.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 26 Feb 2010 12:00
  • Fri 26 Feb 2010 22:00

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 the box set

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 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鈥檚 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 鈥 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.