The Elder Statesman
Donald Macleod with biographer Paul Spicer journey into the final decades for Sir Arthur Bliss, including an Indian Summer of creativity.
Donald Macleod with biographer Paul Spicer journey into the final decades for Sir Arthur Bliss, including an Indian Summer of creativity. Macleod explores how although Bliss was still highly active as a composer, his musical language was now being overshadowed by other composers such as Britten and Tippett. The series ends with a work Bliss wanted to be remembered for, his Mediations on a Theme of John Blow.
Triptych (Capriccio)
Philip Fowke, piano
The Belmont Variations
Besses o' th' Barn Band
Roy Newsome, conductor
The Beatitudes (excerpt)
Emily Birsan, soprano
Ben Johnson, tenor
Âé¶¹Éç Symphony Chorus
Âé¶¹Éç Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Davis, conductor
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (Larghetto)
Arto Noras, cello
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Paavo Berglund, conductor
Shield of Faith (An Essay on Man)
Finzi Singers
Andrew Lumsden, organ
Paul Spicer, conductor
Meditations on a Theme of John Blow (Interlude & Finale)
Âé¶¹Éç Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Davis, conductor
Produced by Luke Whitlock
On radio
More episodes
Next
You are at the last episode
Broadcast
- Fri 5 Jun 2026 16:00Âé¶¹Éç Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Composers A to Z
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
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.



