Main content

The Conducting Bug

Thomas Adès tells Donald Macleod about the joys and challenges of conducting his own music, and reveals the inspiration behind one of his favourite orchestral creations.

Thomas Adès tells Donald Macleod about the joys and challenges of conducting his own music, and reveals the inspiration behind one of his favourite orchestral creations.

Tevot (excerpt)
London Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Adès, conductor

The Four Quarters (excerpt)
Solem Quartet

Totentanz (excerpt)
Christianne Stotijn, mezzo-soprano
Mark Stone, baritone
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Tomas Adès, conductor

Coffee-Spoon Cavatina
Iestyn Davies, countertenor
Joseph Middleton, piano

Alchymia
Mark Simpson, clarinet
Quatuor Diotima

Produced by Luke Whitlock

25 days left to listen

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Thomas Adès

    Tevot

    Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Thomas Adès.
    • LSO LIVE : LSO-0798.
    • LSO LIVE.
    • 5.
  • Thomas Adès

    The Four Quarters (Days & The Twenty-Fifth Hour)

    Ensemble: Solem Quartet.
    • ORCHID CLASSICS : ORC-100172.
    • ORCHID CLASSICS.
    • 9.
  • Thomas Adès

    Totentanz (excerpt)

    Singer: Christianne Stotijn. Singer: Mark Stone. Orchestra: Boston Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Thomas Adès.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON : 483-7889.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 15.
  • Thomas Adès

    Coffee-Spoon Cavatina

    Performer: Joseph Middleton. Singer: Iestyn Davies.
    • SIGNUM.
  • Thomas Adès

    Alchymia

    Performer: Mark Simpson. Ensemble: Diotima String Quartet.
    • ORCHID CLASSICS : ORC-100264.
    • ORCHID CLASSICS.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Thursday16:00

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

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...

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

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.