In the new BBC production, airing from next Monday, February 17, Michael Sheen will narrate an episode about Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich. More details below:
Facing The Music is a new podcast offering a fresh perspective on the real life stories of some of classical music’s most established composers. Across ten episodes, well-known narrators, including Michael Sheen, Toby Jones, Dominic West and Maxine Peake, will uncover the human frailties, obsessions and vulnerabilities of composers including Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ethel Smyth and some of the incredible music written during their lives.
Listeners will come to understand these composers on a more relatable human level, with each 30 minute episode giving insight into everything from fear of failure to heartache and the pursuit of joy. Additional contributions will also be provided by a range of expert creatives and psychologists.
Each unique story will be brought to life by a renowned actor, inviting further understanding of the composers’ hopes, their struggles and the extraordinary music they composed.
Facing The Music airs every weekday for two weeks from Monday 17 February at 21:30-22:00 on BBC Radio 3. The boxset of all ten episodes will also be available on Monday 17 February on BBC Sounds.
The schedule and narrators are as follows:
The series will include music by each composer, alongside theme music specially composed by Peter Gregson.
David Suchet, says: “Haydn was not so well known to me as some of the other great composers, I wasn’t overly familiar with his music and knew little of his personal life. Having recorded this special episode on Haydn for Radio 3’s Facing The Music podcast, I feel enriched and am enjoying his exceptional musical compositions more than ever.”
Maxine Peake, says: “I am delighted to be part of Radio 3’s new podcast, exploring the life of Ethel Smyth through a more vulnerable and real lens. Smyth was a trailblazer, both musically and in her drive to achieve a fairer and more equitable world for women. This episode will celebrate her triumphs but also share many of the difficulties she faced over her remarkable life.”
Michael Sheen, says: “Such a fascinating and moving story. Exactly the kind of thing I love listening to on the radio – even if I’m not reading it!”
Nina Sosanya, says: “Florence Price – a prolific composer and musician who paved the way for many female and African American artists. Price had to overcome many challenges to realise her ambitions and bring her music to the world stage. I’m very pleased to be bringing her story to listeners, and showcasing some of her wonderful music.”
Facing The Music is an Overcoat Media production for BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 3.