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A bid for freedom

Donald explores the life of Delius through five relationships. In today's programme, as pressure from his father mounts, the young composer makes a break for it.

Donald Macleod meets the people who found themselves bewitched by Frederick Delius - both the man and his music.

In today's programme, Delius' father puts pressure on his son to join the family business: the wool trade. A strict disciplinarian, Delius Sr doesn't see music as a serious career to pursue, so he puts the young composer to work as a salesman. Meanwhile, Delius hatches a plan to make a break for it.

On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis

North Country Sketches, III. Dance
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Richard Hickox

Florida Suite: III. Sunset – Near the Plantation
English Northern Philharmonia, conducted by David Lloyd-Jones

Violin Sonata No. 3: Movts 2 & 3
Tasmin Little, violin
Piers Lane, piano

Violin Sonata No. 1, 2nd part: With vigour and animation
Tasmin Little, violin
Piers Lane, piano

Paa Vidderne (On the Mountains)
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Andrew Davis

Produced by Chris Taylor for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Audio

59 minutes

Last on

Tue 19 Aug 2025 16:00

Music Played

  • Frederick Delius

    On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring

    Orchestra: ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Andrew Davis.
    • TELDEC : 4509- 90845-2.
    • TELDEC.
    • 5.
  • Frederick Delius

    North Country Sketches (No 3, Dance)

    Orchestra: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Richard Hickox.
    • CHANDOS : CHAN-10913X.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 7.
  • Frederick Delius

    Florida Suite (3rd mvt, Sunset)

    Performer: Orchestra of Opera North. Conductor: David Lloyd-Jones.
    • NAXOS : 8.553535-.
    • NAXOS.
    • 3.
  • Frederick Delius

    Violin Sonata No 3 (2nd & 3rd mvts)

    Performer: Tasmin Little. Performer: Piers Lane.
    • MASTERWORKS : G010001806661L.
    • MASTERWORKS.
    • 8.
  • Frederick Delius

    Paa Vidderne

    Orchestra: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Sir Andrew Davis.
    • CHANDOS : CHSA-5131.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 2.

Broadcast

  • Tue 19 Aug 2025 16:00

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