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The Essential Bryars

Composer of the Week Gavin Bryars

Gavin Bryars talks to Kate Molleson about some of his more recent projects and the varied collaborations that fuelled them, including music described as the ‘Essence of Bryars’.

Gavin Bryars talks to Kate Molleson about some of his more recent projects and the varied collaborations that fuelled them. We hear works inspired by Faroese sagas, the Shipping Forecast, and medieval hymnody – music described as the ‘Essence of Bryars’. Plus, Gavin reveals what prompted him to create his own record label, and what keeps him composing now he’s in his ninetieth decade.

A Man in a Room, Gambling, 2. ‘3 Card Trick’
Juan Muñoz, narrator
Balanescu Quartet

The Fifth Century, VI. His Omnipresence Is Our Field Of Joys
PRISM Saxophone Quartet,
The Crossing, conducted by Donald Nally

Ciascun ke fede sente (Lauda 37)
Anna Maria Friman, soprano
John Potter, tenor
Arve Henriksen, trumpet
Morgan Goff, viola
Nick Cooper, cello
James Woodrow, guitar
Gavin Bryars, double bass.

Tróndur í Gøtu, V. Shall I Abandon (St Brendan's Prayer)
Eivør Pálsdóttir, soprano
Rúni Brattaberg, bass
·¡²â²õ³Ù²¹²Ô±ôÂáóð
Aldubáran, conducted by Gavin Bryars

A Native Hill: No. 10, Animals and Birds; No. 11, Shadow; No. 12, At Peace
Steven Bradshaw, tenor
Maren Montalbano-Brehm, alto
The Crossing, conducted Donald Nally

7 days left to listen

59 minutes

Last on

Fri 27 Jun 2025 16:00
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Gavin Bryars

    A Man in a Room, Gambling

    Narrator: Juan Munoz. Ensemble: Balanescu String Quartet.
    • GB RECORDS : BCGBCD-04.
    • GB RECORDS.
    • 2.

  • Gavin Bryars

    The Fifth Century (No 6, His Omnipresence is our Field of Joys)

    Choir: The Crossing. Ensemble: PRISM Saxophone Quartet. Conductor: Donald Nally.
    • ECM : 481 4495.
    • ECM.
    • 6.

  • Gavin Bryars

    Lauda 37: Ciascun ke fede sente

    Performer: Morgan Goff. Performer: Nick Cooper. Performer: James Woodrow. Performer: Arve Henriksen. Singer: Anna Maria Friman. Singer: John Potter.
    • GB RECORDS : BCGBCD-15.
    • GB RECORDS.
    • 7.

  • Gavin Bryars

    Trondur i Gotu (No 5, Shall I Abandon)

    Performer: Gavin Bryars. Singer: Rúni Brattaberg. Singer: Eivør. Choir: ·¡²â²õ³Ù²¹²Ô±ôÂáóð. Ensemble: Aldubáran.
    • GB RECORDS : BCGBCD-20.
    • GB RECORDS.
    • 14.

  • Gavin Bryars

    A Native Hill (Nos 10-12)

    Singer: Steven Bradshaw. Singer: Maren Montalbano. Choir: The Crossing. Conductor: Donald Nally.
    • NAVONA RECORDS : NV 6347.
    • NAVONA RECORDS.
    • 10.

Broadcast

  • Fri 27 Jun 2025 16:00
    ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3

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