Songbook
Donald Macleod chats to composer Errollyn Wallen about songwriting, an area of her output that she says is central to who she is. Plus, we hear how her music made it into space.
Donald Macleod chats to composer Errollyn Wallen about her songwriting, an area of her output that she says is central to who she is.
Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen has been called a 鈥渞enaissance woman of contemporary music鈥�. She鈥檚 a remarkably versatile and prolific composer, pianist and songwriter and one of our most in-demand musical voices today. She was the first black woman to have a piece performed at the Proms in 1998 and her music opened the 2012 Paralympic games. She's even been performed in space, aboard Nasa鈥檚 STS115 mission. Wallen writes in a kaleidoscopic range of styles; her music constantly crosses and re-crosses musical boundaries and it brims over with a sense of adventure and delight. All this week, Donald Macleod gets to know Errollyn as she dials into his studio from her Scottish lighthouse where she retreats to concentrate on her work.
Today, Donald asks Errollyn her award-winning songs and how they fit into her creative life. She tells him that songs are like writing a diary, and that she sees songwriting and composing as two sides of the same coin. She shares her diverse influences, from Greek myths to adverts in windows, and we hear the amazing story of how her songs were launched into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle.
What鈥檚 Up Doc?
Errollyn Wallen, piano
Daedalus
Errollyn Wallen, voice
Brodsky Quartet
Five Postcards
Anton Miller, violin
Rita Porfiris, viola
About Here; Tree; Of Crumpling Rocks
Errollyn Wallen, voice and piano
Are you worried about the rising cost of funerals? (i. beehive; iv. guru)
Patricia Rozario, soprano
The Continuum Ensemble
Peace on Earth
Choir of King鈥檚 College, Cambridge
George Hill, treble
D贸nal McCann, organ
Stephen Cleobury, conductor
Produced in Cardiff by Amelia Parker
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Music Played
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Errollyn Wallen
What's Up Doc?
Performer: Errollyn Wallen. -
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Errollyn Wallen
Daedalus
Singer: Errollyn Wallen. Ensemble: Brodsky String Quartet.- MOODSWINGS.
- BRODSKY RECORDS.
- 13.
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Errollyn Wallen
Five Postcards
Performer: Anton Miller. Performer: Rita Porfuris.- FIVE POSTCARDS.
- PHENIX.
- 9.
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Errollyn Wallen
About Here
Performer: Errollyn Wallen.- AVIE : AV0049.
- AVIE.
- 15.
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Errollyn Wallen
Tree
Performer: Errollyn Wallen.- NMCD : 150.
- NMCD.
- 22.
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Errollyn Wallen
Of Crumpling Rocks
Performer: Errollyn Wallen.- AVIE : AV0049.
- AVIE.
- 12.
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Errollyn Wallen
Are you worried about the rising cost of funerals? (i. beehive; iv. guru)
Performer: Errollyn Wallen.- AVIE: AV 0006.
- AVIE.
- 2.
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Errollyn Wallen
Peace on Earth
Performer: D贸nal McCann. Choir: King's College Cambridge Choir. Singer: George Hill.- KINGS : KGS-0050.
- KINGS.
- 1.
Broadcasts
- Thu 6 Jan 2022 12:00蜜芽传媒 Radio 3
- Thu 19 Oct 2023 12:00蜜芽传媒 Radio 3
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