Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Berners and Diaghilev

Donald Macleod introduces works commissioned by Diaghilev - Berners's only opera and the suite from his fairytale ballet.

In spite of his ultra-establishment position as a peer of the realm, Lord Berners didn't connect at all with the old guard in the artistic world. He found he had more in common with the wildly eccentric Sitwells who, like him, were rebelling against a conventional Victorian upbringing. Berners' idiosyncratic ways didn't deter some of the greatest artistic talents of the time from a desire to work with him. Donald Macleod introduces two works commissioned by the renowned impresario Serge Diaghilev - Berners's first and only opera and the suite from his fairytale ballet.

1 hour

Last on

Tue 2 Dec 2014 18:30

Music Played

  • Lord Berners

    Le Carrosse du Saint-Sacrement - opera (Scenes 7 & 8)

    Singer: Ian Caddy. Orchestra: ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scottish S O. Singer: Anthony Smith. Singer: Cynthia Buchan. Conductor: Nicholas Cleobury.
    • MARCO POLO : 8.225-155.
    • MARCO POLO.
    • 9.
  • Lord Berners

    3 Chansons

    Singer: Felicity Lott. Performer: Peter Lawson.
    • ALBANY TROY : TROY-290.
    • ALBANY TROY.
    • 6.
  • Lord Berners

    Fugue in C minor for orchestra

    Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Barry Wordsworth.
    • EMI : CDC-747 668-2.
    • EMI.
    • 10.
  • Lord Berners

    The Triumph of Neptune - ballet

    Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Barry Wordsworth.
    • EMI : CDC-747 668-2.
    • EMI.
    • 1.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 16 Sep 2008 12:00
  • Tue 16 Sep 2008 22:00
  • Tue 2 Dec 2014 12:00
  • Tue 2 Dec 2014 18:30

Vaughan Williams Today

Vaughan Williams Today

Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

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.