No Escape

As she reaches retirement age, Maconchy admits that 'composing is a life sentence'.

Elizabeth Maconchy is surely the greatest composer of string quartets ever to emerge in the British Isles; and yet her music is often ignored in favour of lesser works by more famous British composers. So says Maconchy’s biographer, Erica Siegel, who joins Kate Molleson to explore the life and works of this key figure in Britain and Ireland’s musical story. Across the week, Kate and Erica set out to show us why Maconchy deserves much more of our attention. We’ll hear stories of personal crises, public apathy and outrageous institutional sexism, and how Maconchy met each challenge with characteristic grace and perseverance. Her works fizz with invention and purpose and she described her own music as “impassioned argument”.

Today, Kate and Erica examine how Maconchy refused to let old age quench her creative fire. They assess her profile today, and discuss why she remains a composer whose legacy is yet to be properly recognised and appreciated.

There is no rose
Choir of St John's College Cambridge, directed by Andrew Nethsingha

Trittico
The Sheba Sound

Epyllion
Raphael Wallfisch, Cello
South-west German Chamber Orchestra Pforzheim, conducted by William Boughton

Morning, Noon and Night
Lucy Wakeford, harp

String Quartet No 13 'Quartetto Corto'
Mistry Quartet