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Donald Macleod talks with Thea about her musical roots as she celebrates her 90th birthday

All this week, Donald Macleod is in conversation with Thea Musgrave as the composer celebrates her 90th Birthday.

Born just outside Edinburgh, Thea developed as a musician but went to study medicine at Edinburgh University before realising that she must pursue a life in music. A composition prize took her to Paris to study with Nadia Boulanger who spotted her real potential. Back in Britain, Thea started to be noticed and get commissions. A dream about a subversive clarinettist led to a crucial commission from the CBSO for a ground breaking Concerto for Orchestra. In 1970 she was offered the post of Guest Professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara and has lived and made her life as a composer in the States ever since.

Driving in the Highlands (Excursions for piano duet)
Malcolm Williamson, piano
Thea Musgrave, piano

Four Madrigals
Florilegium Chamber Choir
JoAnn Rice, conductor

Rorate Coeli (1973)
Florilegium Chamber Choir
JoAnn Rice, conductor

Impromptu for flute and oboe
Douglas Whittaker, flute
Janet Craxton, oboe

Concerto for Orchestra
Scottish National Orchestra
Alexander Gibson, conductor

Presenter: Donald Macleod
Producer: Rosie Boulton for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Wales

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 1 Oct 2018 12:00

Music Played

  • Thea Musgrave

    Driving in the Highlands (Excursions)

    Performer: Malcolm Williamson. Performer: Thea Musgrave.
    • LYRITA.
  • Thea Musgrave

    Four Madrigals

    Choir: Florilegium Chamber Choir. Conductor: JoAnn Rice.
    • LEONARDA LE328.
    • LEONARDA.
    • 2.
  • Thea Musgrave

    Rorate coeli

    Choir: Florilegium Chamber Choir. Conductor: JoAnn Rice.
    • LEONARDA LE328.
    • LEONARDA.
    • 6.
  • Thea Musgrave

    Impromptu No 1 for flute and oboe

    Performer: Douglas Whittaker. Performer: Janet Craxton.
    • ´óÏó´«Ã½ RECORDS : ´óÏó´«Ã½ CD-635.
    • ´óÏó´«Ã½ RECORDS.
    • 13.
  • Thea Musgrave

    Concerto for orchestra

    Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: Alexander Gibson.
    • LYRITA: SRCD253.
    • LYRITA.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Mon 1 Oct 2018 12:00

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