Main content

On Lyre Birds and Bell Birds

Composer Edward Cowie shares his enthusiasm for lyre and bell birds. After hearing them in Australia, he was inspired to write a piece of choral music.

The third of five essays inspired by the musical content of the first Earth Music Bristol festival.

On his first visit to Australia, the composer (and founder director of Earth Music Bristol) Edward Cowie heard lyre birds singing. He was so impressed that he wrote a piece of choral music inspired by what he heard. Other Australian birds have since found their way into his work. He shares his story and his enthusiasm for these natural masters of song.

Producer: Tim Dee.

Available now

15 minutes

Last on

Wed 23 Nov 2011 22:45

Broadcast

  • Wed 23 Nov 2011 22:45

Death in Trieste

Death in Trieste

A 1760s murder still informs ideas about aesthetics, a certain sort of sex, and death.

Watch: My Deaf World

Watch: My Deaf World

Five compelling experiences of what it is like to be deaf in 21st-century Britain.

The Book that Changed Me

Five figures from the arts and science introduce books that changed their lives and work.

Download The Essay

Download The Essay

Download all the episodes from the series and listen at your leisure.

Podcast