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BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

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Composer of the Week

Music: Classical

An informative guide to composers' lives and their music.

An informative and accessible guide to composers' lives and their music.

Composer of the Week: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

Composer of the Week: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): Episode 3: Wayward Niece, Favourite Nephew

Discussion & Talk

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

Episode 3

Episode 3: Wayward Niece, Favourite Nephew

Wayward Niece, Favourite Nephew

BBC Radio 3 - Composer of the Week, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), Wayward Niece, Favourite Nephew

Donald Macleod explores the difficult events of the year 1883.

Donald Macleod explores the difficult events of 1883, when Tchaikovsky was called on to deal with a family crisis and his self-destructive love for his own nephew.

Just as he was struggling to cope with his own domestic affairs, in 1883 Tchaikovsky found himself - entirely unwillingly - having to deal with a family crisis, as his wayward, morphine-addled niece Tanya arrived in Paris, heavily pregnant with an illegitimate child. Uncle Pyotr was called upon to sort out the mess - just as he was falling heavily - self-destructively - in love with Tanya's brother, his own nephew Bob.

Meanwhile, the composer was struggling with what was to become perhaps his favourite opera - though one little performed today: the tale of the Cossack warrior Mazeppa.

Donald Macleod presents excerpts from the opera, as well as a complete performance of Tchaikovsky's Second Suite for Orchestra - as the composer ditched his familiar symphonic form for a daring new exploration of dance, melody and colour.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Donald Macleod investigates a little-known 'lost decade' in Tchaikovsky's life

Donald Macleod investigates a little-known 'lost decade' in Tchaikovsky's life - a period the composer spent aimlessly wandering around Europe writing songs, chamber works and religious choral music

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Composer of the Week

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)

Episode 3: Wayward Niece, Favourite Nephew

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