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The Foghorn: A Celebration

Peter Curran tours Portland Bill Lighthouse to celebrate the foghorn in literature, film and as a musical instrument. From 2011.

Peter Curran celebrates the humble foghorn's powerful role in music, literature and film.

The foghorn was invented in 1855 by Robert Foulis, a Scotsman living in Canada.

He could hear the low notes (but not the high notes) of his daughter's piano playing whist walking far from the family's fog-shrouded coastal cottage, thus inspiring the first steam powered fog horn.

But beyond the sea, it's 'whale-like' sound has inspired artists, writers and musicians to use the foghorn both as symbol and instrument.

Peter Curran hears from foghorn composer of 'Maritime Rites' Alvin Curran, Jason Gorski, aka The Fogmaster, who used to conduct guerrilla foghorn concerts in the Bay Area of California

Peter takes a tour of Portland Bill lighthouse in Dorset, with keeper Larry Walker, taking the opportunity to set off an almighty Victorian foghorn.

He also speaks to James Bond film music (and future 2012 Olympic theme) composer David Arnold, who tries to digitally recreate the foghorn's cry.

Plus Dr Harry Witchel analyses Peter's yearn for the sound as a child.

Producer: Sara Jane Hall.

First broadcast on 大象传媒 Radio 4 in February 2011.

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30 minutes

Last on

Sat 17 Aug 2024 00:30

Broadcasts

  • Tue 22 Feb 2011 13:30
  • Sat 26 Feb 2011 15:30
  • Fri 16 Sep 2016 06:30
  • Fri 16 Sep 2016 13:30
  • Fri 16 Sep 2016 20:30
  • Sat 17 Sep 2016 01:30
  • Fri 15 Nov 2019 06:30
  • Fri 15 Nov 2019 13:30
  • Fri 15 Nov 2019 20:30
  • Sat 16 Nov 2019 01:30
  • Fri 16 Aug 2024 10:30
  • Fri 16 Aug 2024 16:30
  • Sat 17 Aug 2024 00:30

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