Roots
Donald Macleod chats to Errollyn Wallen, one of Britain鈥檚 most in-demand composers. Today is about her connection to Belize, and how her family and childhood influence her work.
Donald Macleod chats to composer Errollyn Wallen about her heritage and musical upbringing.
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, we hear about Errollyn鈥檚 deep connection to Belize and her childhood musical memories. She was brought up in London to a soundtrack of Ella Fitzgerald and calypso. When she discovered the piano, she had to be begged not to practice. Errollyn's first ever composition was written for her sisters to sing walking to primary school, and family has since been a thread through her work.
I Wouldn鈥檛 Normally Say
Elena Riu, piano
It鈥檚 a Quarter to Nine
Hull Music Hub Massed Choir
Errollyn Wallen, piano
Charles McDougall, conductor
Percussion Concerto (2nd movement 鈥� excerpt)
Colin Currie, percussion
National Youth Orchestra
Paul Daniel, conductor
Louis鈥� Loops
Margaret Leng Tan, toy piano
Photography
Ensemble X
Nicholas Kok, conductor
NNENNA
大象传媒 National Orchestra of Wales
Ryan Bancroft, conductor
My Granny Sarah
National Youth Choir of Great Britain
Ben Parry, conductor
Produced in Cardiff by Amelia Parker
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Music Played
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Errollyn Wallen
I Wouldn't Normally Say
Performer: Elena Riu.- AVIE : AV0049.
- AVIE.
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Errollyn Wallen
It's a Quarter to Nine
Performer: Hull Music Hub Massed Choir. Performer: Errollyn Wallen. Conductor: Charles MacDougall. -
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Errollyn Wallen
Percussion Concerto (2nd movement - excerpt)
Performer: Colin Currie. Orchestra: National Youth Chamber Orchestra Of G.B.. Conductor: Paul Daniel. -
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Errollyn Wallen
Louis' Loops
Performer: Margaret Leng Tan.- AVIE: AV 0006.
- AVIE.
- 7.
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Errollyn Wallen
Photography
Ensemble: Ensemble X. Conductor: Nicholas Kok.- NMC: D221.
- NMC.
- 3.
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Errollyn Wallen
NNENNA
Orchestra: 大象传媒 National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Ryan Bancroft. -
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Errollyn Wallen
My Granny Sarah
Choir: National Youth Choir. Conductor: Ben Parry.
Broadcasts
- Mon 3 Jan 2022 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Mon 16 Oct 2023 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
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