Donald Macleod considers the profound influence Vaughan Williams's liberal-minded upbringing brought to bear on his thinking and his musical ambitions. Show more

Donald Macleod finds Vaughan Williams broadening his musical horizons through studies with Hubert Parry and Charles Stanford and acquiring a new passion for native folk song. Show more

Donald Macleod charts Vaughan Williams's progress as the young composer seeks out Max Bruch in Berlin with the aim of broadening his musical skills. Show more

Donald Macleod charts how Vaughan Williams was freed from a creative block by a period of study with Ravel in Paris. Show more

Donald Macleod and Ceri Owen discuss Vaughan Williams' early development, following a trajectory which shows the emerging composer drawing on a wide range of influences Show more

Vaughan Williams stopped composing while he was engaged in active service during the Great War, but he made up for that silence in the succeeding years. With Donald Macleod. Show more

Donald Macleod is joined by Eric Saylor to discuss a significant area of Vaughan Williams’ output that he cared about deeply but which is often overlooked - his stage works. Show more

New teaching and conducting opportunities back in London and an exciting trip to the US for the overseas premiere of the composer's Third Symphony. Presented by Donald Macleod. Show more

Donald Macleod explores a significant friendship and Vaughan Williams's lifelong commitment to amateur music making in England. Show more

Donald Macleod follows Vaughan Williams as he puts on an oratorio during riots, enjoys walking with friends and makes a move to the country. Show more

Donald Macleod explores the difficulties which blighted Ralph Vaughan Williams during the 1930s, and the music that arose from the frustration he felt. Show more

A new creative and romantic force enters Vaughan Williams’s life, and the composer throws himself into the war effort. Donald Macleod presents. Show more

Donald Macleod explores how, just as Vaughan Williams was being hailed as Britain’s greatest living composer, he was suffering from a creative block. Donald Macleod presents. Show more

Donald Macleod explores Vaughan Williams’s life as the war drew to its end, and how he fared in postwar Britain as he celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday. Show more

Donald Macleod is joined by conductor Martyn Brabbins to explore the many worlds of Vaughan Williams’ 9 Symphonies. Show more

Donald Macleod and Ceri Owen offer a fresh view of Vaughan Williams's two wives – Adeline Fisher and Ursula Wood – their own creative lives, and their role in the composer’s success Show more

Donald Macleod explores the late 1940s and early 50s as Adeline’s arthritis becomes increasingly worse, and Vaughan Williams - now in his mid-70s - begins to feel his age. Show more

After his wife’s death, Vaughan Williams throws himself back into life and celebrates his eightieth birthday! Donald Macleod presents. Show more

Donald Macleod and Alain Frogley explore the changing attitudes to Vaughan Williams’ music since his death. Show more

Donald Macleod explores the final, happy years of Vaughan Williams’s life, combining foreign travel with a busy social life in London and completing his final two symphonies. Show more