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Donald Macleod explores Marie Ja毛ll鈥檚 change in career from composer to exploring the science and art of touch

For the first time in the history of Composer of the Week, Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Marie Ja毛ll [1846-1925]. Ja毛ll was a piano prodigy, a composer across a wide spectrum of genres including opera and chamber music, and a revolutionary when it came to the art of teaching and playing the piano. She knew many distinguished musicians including Liszt, Saint-Sa毛ns, C茅sar Franck, Brahms, Faur茅 and Rossini, but hers is a name which has been largely forgotten. Donald Macleod this week uncovers Ja毛ll's music, and tells her story.

Marie Ja毛ll always had a broad range of interests, reading widely in morality, religion and science. She turned away from her life as a concert pianist to focusing more on composition, writing in many genres - her willpower and determination generating for her the nickname 鈥渧olcano鈥�. At the recommendation of Faure and Saint-Sa毛ns, Ja毛ll became one of the first women to be accepted into the French Society of Composers. However she was soon exploring new avenues, including the art of touch at the keyboard. She鈥檇 eventually give up composing altogether and, through scientific experimentation and study, focus on piano technique, believing that her soul was at the end of her fingertips.

Reflets dansants (Prisme. Probl猫mes en musique)
Cora Irsen, piano

Cello Concerto in A Minor
Xavier Phillips, cello
Brussels Philharmonic
Herv茅 Niquet, director

Ce qu鈥檕n entend dans le Purgatoire (18 Pi猫ces d'apr猫s la lecture de Dante)
Cora Irsen, piano

R锚verie; Clair de lune (Les Orientales)
Catherine Dubosc, soprano
Lara Erb猫s, piano
Produced by Luke Whitlock, for 主播大秀 Wales