Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Popular Composer

Donald Macleod turns his attention to the high regard Haydn enjoyed from his friends, colleagues and audiences. Also, the extraordinary story of how Haydn lost his head.

Donald Macleod turns his attention to the high regard Haydn enjoyed from his friends, colleagues and audiences. Also, the extraordinary story of how Haydn lost his head.

Joseph Haydn’s prodigious creativity earned him the titles Father of the Symphony and Father of the String Quartet. However, he was also occupied with sacred music throughout his career. This week, as Donald Macleod follows Haydn’s journey from humble choirboy to Europe’s most celebrated composer, he shines the spotlight on music from Haydn’s many settings of the Mass. It's music that is as chock-full of invention and character as any of the instrumental forms he made his own.

Today, Donald draws a picture of Haydn’s immense popularity, not just as a comoposer but as a man. The affection in which he was held only grew as he entered old age.

Mass in B flat major ‘Harmoniemesse’: Agnus Dei and Dona nobis pacem
Nancy Argenta, soprano
Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano
Mark Padmore, tenor
Stephen Varcoe, baritone
Collegium Musicum 90
Richard Hickox, conductor

Trumpet Concerto in E flat major: movt I Allegro
Wynton Marsalis, trumpet
English Chamber Orchestra
Raymond Leppard, conductor

Symphony No 104 in D major ‘London’: movt IV Finale: Spiritoso
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Georg Solti, conductor

Die Schöpfung: Part 1 Nos 10-14
Ruth Ziesak, soprano
Herbert Lippert, tenor
René Pape, bass
Anton Scharinger, bass-baritone
Chicago Symphony Chorus
Margaret Hillis, chorus director
David Schrader, piano
John Sharp, cello
Joseph Guastafeste, double bass
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sir Georg Solti, conductor

Mass in B flat major ‘Schöpfungsmesse’: Kyrie and Gloria
Susan Gritton, soprano
Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano
Mark Padmore, tenor
Stephen Varcoe, baritone
Collegium Musicum 90
Richard Hickox, conductor

Producer: Eleri Llian Rees for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Cymru Wales

59 minutes

Last on

Fri 12 Jun 2020 12:00

Music Played

  • Joseph Haydn

    Mass in B flat major, Hob XXII:14 (Harmoniemesse): Agnus Dei, Dona nobis pacem

    Singer: Nancy Argenta. Singer: Pamela Helen Stephen. Singer: Mark Padmore. Singer: Stephen Varcoe. Orchestra: Collegium Musicum 90. Conductor: Richard Hickox.
    • Chandos Records CHAN 0612.
    • Chandos Records.
    • 10.
  • Joseph Haydn

    Trumpet Concerto in E flat major Hob VIIe No 1 (1st movement)

    Performer: Wynton Marsalis. Orchestra: English Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Raymond Leppard.
    • Sony Classical SK 57 497.
    • Sony Classical SK 57 497.
    • 1.
  • Joseph Haydn

    Symphony No 104 in D major, Hob I:104 (London) (4th movement)

    Orchestra: New Philharmonic Orchestra London. Conductor: Georg Solti.
  • Joseph Haydn

    The Creation, Part II: Nos 10-14

    Performer: David Schrader. Performer: John Sharp. Performer: Joseph Guastafeste. Performer: Georg Solti. Singer: Ruth Ziesak. Singer: Herbert Lippert. Singer: René Pape. Singer: Anton Scharinger. Choir: Chicago Symphony Chorus. Conductor: Margaret Hillis. Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
    • Decca 443 445-2.
    • Decca 443 445-2.
    • 10.
  • Joseph Haydn

    Mass in B flat major, Hob XXII:13 (Schöpfungsmesse): Kyrie, Gloria

    Singer: Susan Gritton. Singer: Pamela Helen Stephen. Singer: Mark Padmore. Singer: Stephen Varcoe. Choir: Collegium Musicum 90 Chorus. Conductor: Richard Hickox.
    • Chandos CHAN 0599 tracks.
    • Chandos CHAN 0599 tracks.
    • 1.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 12 Apr 2019 12:00
  • Fri 12 Jun 2020 12:00

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.