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The Forest at Night

Alberga falls into a fairytale world.

Eleanor Alberga is a quietly rebellious composer. She draws inspiration from Jamaican folk songs, children's fairytales, ancient mythology - even chemistry. She was one of the first pianists to take modern dance seriously. And as a student, she arrived to performances on a motorcycle. This week, Alberga joins Kate Molleson and takes us on a journey from Kingston to London and beyond.

In today's programme, Alberga tells Kate Molleson how she came to compose the score for Roald Dahl's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, featuring none other than Danny Devito and Joanna Lumley. The opportunity came in a letter - one Alberga almost literally threw away!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Prelude - The Forest at Night
Taliesin Orchestra, conducted by Peter Ash

The Wild Blue Yonder
Eleanor Alberga, piano
Thomas Bowes, violin

String Quartet No. 3: III. Adagio, IV. Allegro
Ensemble Arcadiana

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Narration IV, Stemother’s Dance, Narration V, Stepmother’s Blood Dance, Narration VI, Alone in the Wild Forest
Taliesin Orchestra, conducted by Peter Ash
Danny DeVito, Joanna Lumley & Griff Rhys Jones, voice cast

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Narration VIII, Night Music, Narration IX, Escape Dance, Narration X, Celebration Dance
Taliesin Orchestra, conducted by Peter Ash
Danny DeVito, Joanna Lumley & Griff Rhys Jones, voice cast

Produced by Alice McKee for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Audio

59 minutes

Last on

Thu 9 Oct 2025 16:00

Music Played

  • Eleanor Alberga

    Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (The Forest at Night)

    Orchestra: The Taliesin Orchestra. Conductor: Peter Ash.
    • ORCHID : ORC-100019.
    • ORCHID.
    • 1.
  • Eleanor Alberga

    The Wild Blue Yonder

    Performer: Eleanor Alberga. Performer: Thomas Bowes.
    • NAVONA RECORDS : NV-6346.
    • NAVONA RECORDS.
    • 4.
  • Eleanor Alberga

    String Quartet No 3 (3rd & 4th mvt)

    Ensemble: Ensemble Arcadiana.
    • NAVONA : NV6234.
    • NAVONA.
    • 7.
  • Eleanor Alberga

    Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (excerpt)

    Orchestra: The Taliesin Orchestra. Conductor: Peter Ash.
    • ORCHID : ORC-100019.
    • ORCHID.
    • 7.
  • Eleanor Alberga

    Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (excerpt)

    Orchestra: The Taliesin Orchestra. Conductor: Peter Ash.
    • ORCHID : ORC-100019.
    • ORCHID.
    • 15.

Broadcast

  • Thu 9 Oct 2025 16:00

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