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Donald Macleod focuses on Darius Milhaud's activities during the Second World War. He emigrated to America, took up a teaching post and wrote 12 symphonies.

The German occupation of France forced Darius Milhaud to flee. He and his family set off for America with little money and no idea of what life in exile would offer. By the time he arrived in New York Milhaud had already received a telegram offering him a teaching post at a college in California.

In 1939 Milhaud had received a commission from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It turned into the first of Milhaud's twelve symphonies, acting as a calling card for his future activities. In the US he taught, performed and received a steady stream of commissions for music. Among his concertos the first one he produced for cello stands out for its lightness and gaiety.

1 hour

Last on

Thu 21 Oct 2010 22:00

Music Played

  • Darius Milhaud

    La Cheminée du Roi René

    Performer: Wind Quintet of the National Orchestra of France

    • Erato ECD 88254.
    • 1.
  • Darius Milhaud

    Medée (First tableau) (text Madeleine Milhaud) (1938)

    Performer: Natalie Dessay (soprano) Performer: Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte Carlo Performer: Patrick Founillier (conductor)

    • EMI 5 56159 2.
    • 7.
  • Darius Milhaud

    Cello Concerto no 1 for Cello & Orchestra (1st perf 1935)

    Performer: Mstislav Rostropovitch (cello) Performer: London Symphony Orchestra Performer: Kent Nagano (conductor)

    • Erato 2292 45489 2.
    • 1 to 3.
  • Darius Milhaud

    Symphony no 1 (1939)

    Performer: Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse Performer: Michel Plasson (conductor)

    • DG 435 437-2.
    • 1 to 4.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 21 Oct 2010 12:00
  • Thu 21 Oct 2010 22:00

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