DescriptionWolfgang Amadeus Mozart is without doubt the most famous of all musical child prodigies. At the age of 6 he enthralled the Austrian Court with his unbelievable virtuosity. Yet he died friendless and in poverty at the age of 36, a victim of jealousy, and vicious intrigue. Mozart's story is a tragedy, but one filled with superb music; for he brought new colour, passion and power to opera, symphony and concerto.
DescriptionAn artist should not be troubled by the indifference of his contemporaries. He should go on working and say all that he is predestined to say. He should know that posterity alone can deliver a true and just verdict. So said Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and posterity has delivered its verdict. His music is glorious, uplifting, soulful, umourous and wonderfully melodic. Thchaikovsky regarded usic as something to be savoured and shared, and he worked hard and long to that end. This programme reveals much of his troubled life and times and presents many extracts from his marvellous music.
DescriptionIts opening bars can bring a tear to the eye and a lump to the throat. It is at once the most romantic and sentimental melody ever written. It is of course the The Blue Danube Waltz, composed by the Waltz King, Johann Strauss the Younger. For more than 60 years Strauss captivated audiences with his evocations of Viennese joi de vivre; yet his own life was often sad. This programme makes use of fascinating contemporary writings as well as the wonderful music itself.
DescriptionA portrait in words and music of one of the world's truly great composers. A man who gained fame in a land far from his birthplace. Handel was rewarded with glory and honour in his lifetime, and his music lives on in opera house, church and concert hall. His famous Largo is generally accepted as being one of the best loved melodies in the world. This programme follows his extraordinary success in a foreign land with respect and affection.
DescriptionImagine a blind painter! So said Richard Wagner when describing the effect of deafness on a composer. Yet Ludwig van Beethoven was a man with the character to overcome this seemingly incapacitating disability and produce some of the most powerful and beautiful music ever written. This fascinating programme selects the words of Beethoven and his contemporaries, and includes excerpts from his best known and loved works. Together with an informative and illuminating commentary, it conveys to the listener an exciting and colourful picture of a musical giant.
DescriptionJohann Sebastian Bach has been called the father of Western music; precise andincredibly prolific, his works fill 52 volumes. He was an obstinate but nevertheless modest man and the outstanding tributes paid to his work more than a 100 years after his burial in an unmarked grave, would have probably amused him. This programme traces the development of his life and work and is copiously illustrated with examples of his music.
