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Donald Macleod revisits conversations with two of America’s most iconic living composers – Meredith Monk and Steve Reich – and we hear their different musical responses to World War II.

Composer of the Week is one of the longest-running strands on the ´óÏó´«Ã½, first heard on the airwaves during the Second World War on the 2nd of August 1943. The first composer to be featured was Mozart – and today, the programme tells the stories of both well-known and rediscovered composers across classical music, jazz, contemporary and beyond. Donald Macleod celebrates its 80th anniversary with highlights and behind-the-scenes stories from his encounters with some of our greatest living composers. Across the week, he looks back on ten memorable interviews from his nearly 25 years in the presenter’s chair, showcasing the range of musical styles and personalities he’s encountered.

Today, Meredith Monk talks about how a megalithic site in France inspired her vocal piece, Dolmen Music, and Steve Reich tells us the personal backstory of his masterpiece Different Trains.

Meredith Monk: Gotham Lullaby
Meredith Monk, piano and vocals

Meredith Monk: Quarry (Quarry Weave 2)
Musica Sacra
Richard Westenburg, conductor

Meredith Monk: Dolmen Music (excerpt)
Andrea Goodman, voice
Meredith Monk, voice
Monica Solem, voice
Paul Langland, voice
Julius Eastman, voice and percussion
Robert Een, voice and cello

Steve Reich: The Cave (excerpts from Act III)
Cheryl Bensman Rowe, Marion Beckenstein, sopranos
James Bassi, tenor
Hugo Munday (baritone)
The Steve Reich Ensemble
Paul Hillier, conductor

Steve Reich: Different Trains (iii. Europe, After the War)
Kronos Quartet

Steve Reich: Piano Phase (remixed by D*Note)

Produced by Amelia Parker for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Audio Wales and West