This Week on Music of the Day: 23–29 August
From English folk music to bebop, this week’s Music of the Day travels across countries, centuries and musical traditions.
We begin on Sunday with Eliza Carthy, one of the leading figures in contemporary English folk music. A singer and multi-instrumentalist, she has spent her career both preserving traditional music and finding new ways to make it her own.
Monday brings us Louis Prima, the exuberant American trumpeter, singer and bandleader whose irresistible mixture of jazz, swing and humour made him one of the great entertainers of his generation.
On Tuesday, we discover the lesser-known Czech composer Jaroslav Řídký, before turning to one of the biggest names in British classical music on Wednesday: Ralph Vaughan Williams. Deeply influenced by English folk song, his music ranges from the serene to the spectacular.
Thursday introduces Rebecca Clarke, a pioneering composer and violist whose music was overlooked for much of the 20th century but has enjoyed a well-deserved revival.
On Friday, we head to Russia for Anatoly Lyadov, known for beautifully crafted orchestral miniatures inspired by folklore, fairy tales and the supernatural.
And there’s a spectacular finish on Saturday with Charlie Parker. Nicknamed “Bird”, Parker’s extraordinary playing helped create bebop and changed jazz forever.
This week’s composers
🎻 23 August – Eliza Carthy
🎺 24 August – Louis Prima
🎼 25 August – Jaroslav Řídký
🌿 26 August – Ralph Vaughan Williams
🎻 27 August – Rebecca Clarke
🧙 28 August – Anatoly Lyadov
🎷 29 August – Charlie Parker
Seven days. Seven musicians. And everything from English folk music to revolutionary jazz.
For teachers
Looking ahead to the new school year? Composer of the Day can be an easy way to build regular music listening into the school day.
The September Reading & Listening Activities include a different featured musician for every day of the month, with accessible reading and listening activities ready to use in the classroom.
You could use them as a morning activity, reading comprehension, music lesson starter or simply a few minutes of focused listening.
Who will you discover this week?
