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Composer of the Week Episodes

  1. Today 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Coppin' the BopMax Roach (1924-2007)

    1/5 Kate Molleson explores the life and work of drummer and composer Max Roach.

  2. Tomorrow 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    BandleaderMax Roach (1924-2007)

    2/5 Kate Molleson follows drummer and composer Max Roach into the 1950s.

  3. Wednesday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    We Insist!Max Roach (1924-2007)

    3/5 Kate Molleson explores drummer and composer Max Roach as a political force.

  4. Thursday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    M'BoomMax Roach (1924-2007)

    4/5 Kate Molleson explores Max Roach’s percussion ensemble M'boom.

  5. Friday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Late CollaborationsMax Roach (1924-2007)

    5/5 Kate Molleson explores the many collaborations of Max Roach’s later decades.

  6. Next Monday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    London TownJohn Rutter (born 1945)

    1/5 John Rutter shares memories of his musical childhood.

  7. Next Tuesday 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Opportunity KnocksJohn Rutter (born 1945)

    2/5 John Rutter talks about his love of Cambridge, the city where he got his big break.

  8. Wed 3 Dec 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Across the PondJohn Rutter (born 1945)

    3/5 John Rutter talks to Donald Macleod about his formative experiences in America.

  9. Thu 4 Dec 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Making PeaceJohn Rutter (born 1945)

    4/5 Donald Macleod and John Rutter discuss composing during life’s most difficult times.

  10. Fri 5 Dec 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    At HomeJohn Rutter (born 1945)

    5/5 Donald Macleod speaks to John Rutter about new ventures and the sanctuary of home.

  11. Mon 8 Dec 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Blowe, Northerne WyndA Medieval Christmas

    1/5 Mediaeval carols and the story of St. Nicholas, with Donald Macleod. (R)

  12. Tue 9 Dec 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Daniel and the Feast of FoolsA Medieval Christmas

    2/5 Donald Macleod investigates some unusual festive celebrations popular in the Middle Ages. (R)

  13. Wed 10 Dec 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Christmas at Notre DameA Medieval Christmas

    3/5 Donald Macleod explores musical innovations at Paris’s newly built gothic cathedral. (R)

  14. Thu 11 Dec 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Cult of the VirginA Medieval Christmas

    4/5 Donald Macleod presents songs for Mary and lullabies to the infant Jesus. (R)

  15. Fri 12 Dec 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Carols and RevelriesA Medieval Christmas

    5/5 Donald Macleod presents seasonal music for dancing, feasting and social occasions. (R)

  16. Mon 15 Dec 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Soviet StorytellerSergey Prokofiev (1891-1953)

    1/5 Kate Molleson unwraps Prokofiev’s childhood of fairytales and fantasy.

  17. Tue 16 Dec 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    From Duckling to SwanSergey Prokofiev (1891-1953)

    2/5 Kate Molleson follows Prokofiev from bleak classrooms to concert platforms.

  18. Wed 17 Dec 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    To New York with LoveSergey Prokofiev (1891-1953)

    3/5 Kate Molleson follows Prokofiev’s journey from Russian storms to Broadway lights.

  19. Thu 18 Dec 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Love, Loss and Three OrangesSergey Prokofiev (1891-1953)

    4/5 Kate Molleson tells Prokofiev’s life-changing love story.

  20. Fri 19 Dec 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    The Prodigal SonSergey Prokofiev (1891-1953)

    5/5 Prokofiev encounters snow, Shakespeare and the Soviet Union. With Kate Molleson.

  21. Mon 22 Dec 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    At home with Jane AustenA Georgian Christmas

    1/5 Donald Macleod discovers the seasonal customs and Christmas music of late-Georgian Britain

  22. Tue 23 Dec 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Winter BallsA Georgian Christmas

    2/5 Donald Macleod discovers the seasonal customs and Christmas music of late-Georgian Britain

  23. Christmas Eve 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Church and CountryA Georgian Christmas

    3/5 Donald Macleod discovers the seasonal customs and Christmas music of late-Georgian Britain

  24. Christmas Day 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Family EntertainmentsA Georgian Christmas

    4/5 Donald Macleod discovers the seasonal customs and Christmas music of late-Georgian Britain

  25. Boxing Day 2025 16:00
    BBC Radio 3

    Servants and SoldiersA Georgian Christmas

    5/5 Donald Macleod discovers the seasonal customs and Christmas music of late-Georgian Britain