Making of Music : Series 2

One thousand years of classical music. Appeared on BBC Radio 4 September and October 2007

Official Site: BBC Radio 4

Listen to the clips (courtesy of Matthieu)  

The Making of Music Episode 7: Fakes and Mystics On: BBC Radio Four (0104) Date: Tuesday 18th September 2007 Time: 15:45 to 16:00 (15 minutes long) James Naughtie presents a 30-part series chronicling the historical influences that affected the course of classical music. Mysticism was in fashion at the beginning of the twentieth century. Russian composer Alexander Scriabin spent his musical life trying to depict the mystical in his work. Read by Simon Russell Beale and Matthew Macfadyen.

The Making of Music Episode 11: The End of the Hapsburgs On: BBC Radio Four (0104) Date: Monday 24th September 2007 Time: 15:45 to 16:00 (15 minutes long) James Naughtie presents a 30-part series chronicling the historical influences that affected the course of classical music. With the Austro-Hungarian empire in its last years, the Czech composer Janacek became a poet of his times and his people. Read by Simon Russell Beale and Matthew Macfadyen.

The Making Of Music Episode 16: Into the Past. On: BBC Radio Four (0104) Date: Monday 1st October 2007 Time: 15:45 to 16:00 (15 minutes long) James Naughtie presents a 30-part series chronicling the historical influences that affected the course of classical music. In the 1920s, French composers such as Poulenc and Ravel looked back to yesteryear to give a new dimension to modern composers. Read by Matthew Macfadyen.

Making of Music Episode 17: Music for the Masses. Date: Tuesday 2nd October 2007 Time: 15:45 to 16:00 (15 minutes long) James Naughtie presents a 30-part series chronicling the historical influences that affected the course of classical music. Composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams and Carl Orff were encouraging participation from their audiences, who were able to buy vinyl discs for the first time. Read by Simon Russell Beale and Matthew Macfadyen.

Making of Music Episode 18: Cinema. Date: Wednesday 3rd October 2007 Time: 15:45 to 16:00 (15 minutes long) James Naughtie presents a 30-part series chronicling the historical influences that affected the course of classical music. The film industry became the great patron of music in the 20th century. Max Steiner, whose composing credits included Casablanca and Gone with the Wind, said that film music should be felt and not heard. Read by Matthew Macfadyen.

Making of Music Episode 19: Stalin. Date: Thursday 4th October 2007 Time: 15:45 to 16:00 (15 minutes long) James Naughtie presents a 30-part series chronicling the historical influences that affected the course of classical music. When the Russian dictator came to power he wanted music that expressed 'socialist realism'. How did composers like Shostakovich and Prokofiev fare under the Stalinist regime? Read by Simon Russell Beale and Matthew Macfadyen.

The Making of Music Date: Thursday 11th October 2007 Time: 15:45 to 16:00 (15 minutes long) James Naughtie presents a 30-part series chronicling the historical influences that affected the course of classical music. John Cage, Olivier Messiaen and Pierre Boulez were in the forefront of a new generation of postwar composers. They wanted to sweep away the past and make music speak for a new world. Read by Simon Russell Beale and Matthew Macfadyen.

The Making of Music On: BBC Radio Four (0104) Date: Wednesday 17th October 2007 Time: 15:45 to 16:00 (15 minutes long) James Naughtie presents a 30-part series chronicling the historical influences that affected the course of classical music. Composers experimented with electronics to extend the boundaries of possible sounds. Music was used to create the sounds of machines. Read by Matthew Macfadyen.

The Making of Music On: BBC Radio Four (0104) Date: Thursday 18th October 2007 Time: 15:45 to 16:00 (15 minutes long) James Naughtie presents a 30-part series chronicling the historical influences that affected the course of classical music. British composers play a significant part in contemporary music. John Tavener's Song for Athene was played at Princess Diana's funeral. Read by Matthew Macfadyen.