A land without music?

This episode of A land without music? is about the extraordinary effect that the arts and music in particular can have on our physical and mental health. We hear from Daisy Fancourt, professor of Psychobiology and epidemiology at University College London and director of the WHO collaborating centre on arts and health.

Daisy has devoted her career to studying the intersection of art and health, becoming a world leading expert on how music affects both our minds and our bodies. Here, she describes these processes and presents incontrovertible evidence regarding the importance of music to us as individuals and to society as a whole.

Written and presented by Julian Leeks.

Music

The Grace of Silence by Evelyn Glennie (performed by Harriet Riley and Paul Israel). Listen on Apple Music or Spotify

In The Steps of Apollo by Julian Leeks (performed by Zelkova String Quartet).

Beehive by Julian Leeks (Note Performer demo version recorded for our sponsors)

For more info about Sound World visit sound-world.org

This episode of A land without music? is the second part of our interview with composer, clarinetist, conductor and all round force of nature, Jörg Widmann.

Written and presented by Julian Leeks

Music

Fantasie by Jörg Widmann. Listen on Apple Music or Spotify

In The Steps of Apollo by Julian Leeks (performed by Zelkova String Quartet).

Beehive by Julian Leeks (Note Performer demo version recorded for our sponsors)

For more info about Sound World visit sound-world.org

This episode of A land without music? is the first of a 2 part interview with  composer, clarinetist and conductor Jörg Widmann.

As a composer, his music ranges from tonal works openly referencing the greats of the past such as Mozart and Schumann, to wild, pitchless celebrations of sound and rhythm. He's also in great demand as a wonderfully virtuosic performer and as a lively and engaging conductor. 

At the time of the interview he was composer in residence with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and on the day it was recorded he'd been up working on a commission for them from 6am. He then spent a full day conducting a rehearsal with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, before returning to the commission for more composing.

Eventually, Jörg sat down with Julian for the interview and was enthusiastic, bright and brimming with energy throughout. And he gave us far more time than had actually been agreed.

He is a genuine force of nature.

Written and presented by Julian Leeks

Music

Fantasie by Jörg Widmann. Listen on Apple Music or Spotify

In The Steps of Apollo by Julian Leeks (performed by Zelkova String Quartet).

Beehive by Julian Leeks (Note Performer demo version recorded for our sponsors)

For more info about Sound World visit sound-world.org

A land without music?

Today’s episode is a full length interview with a British composer whose works include symphonies, concertos and chamber pieces, but who also looks beyond the classical tradition to Celtic music and jazz. Indeed, some of those concertos feature fairly unusual solo instruments including accordion, saxophone & clàrsach.

In 2020 she composed April for Sound World’s lockdown album Reflections and, during the same period, she reached a rather different audience through her trio’s Thursday evening doorstep performances of jazz standards and pop classics.

Written and presented by Julian Leeks

Music

April by Sally Beamish (performed by Mary Barrett, Tomáš Klement and Harriet Riley). Listen on Apple Music or Spotify

In The Steps of Apollo by Julian Leeks (performed by Zelkova String Quartet).

Beehive by Julian Leeks (Note Performer demo version recorded for our sponsors)

For more info about Sound World visit sound-world.org

In today's episode of A land without music? we’re talking about arts funding. This is particularly relevant at the moment with an ongoing government commissioned independent review into Arts Council England and one year into a new labour government, which came in to power talking about the importance of art and putting creativity at the centre of education.

But with financial black holes, low growth and high government borrowing, what are the funding realities facing arts organisations and what should we do to safeguard our precious culture.

Written and presented by Julian Leeks.

Music

The Grace of Silence by Evelyn Glennie (performed by Harriet Riley and Paul Israel). Listen on Apple Music or Spotify

In The Steps of Apollo by Julian Leeks (performed by Zelkova String Quartet).

Beehive by Julian Leeks (Note Performer demo version recorded for our sponsors)

For more info about Sound World visit sound-world.org

A land without music?

Episode 18 of A land without music? is one of our bonus full-length interviews and our guest is Sadie Harrison a composer, archeologist and gardener.

Her music is wide ranging in style, embracing and engaging with the culture and folk music of places such as Afghanistan, Lithuania and The Isle of Skye. It’s known for its socio-political focus with several works challenging stereotypes of marginalised peoples.

Written and presented by Julian Leeks.

Music

Anthem by Sadie Harrison (performed by Zelkova String Quartet)

In The Steps of Apollo by Julian Leeks (performed by Zelkova String Quartet).

Beehive by Julian Leeks (Note Performer demo version recorded for our sponsors)

For more info about Sound World visit sound-world.org

A land without music?

Episode 18 of A land without music? is one of our bonus full-length interviews and our guest is Sadie Harrison a composer, archeologist and gardener.

Her music is wide ranging in style, embracing and engaging with the culture and folk music of places such as Afghanistan, Lithuania and The Isle of Skye. It’s known for its socio-political focus with several works challenging stereotypes of marginalised peoples.

Written and presented by Julian Leeks.

Music

Anthem by Sadie Harrison (performed by Zelkova String Quartet)

In The Steps of Apollo by Julian Leeks (performed by Zelkova String Quartet).

Beehive by Julian Leeks (Note Performer demo version recorded for our sponsors)

For more info about Sound World visit sound-world.org

A land without music?

New music is central to the survival of classical music as a vital, living art form. Without new repertoire it becomes mere history, a kind of musical museum exhibit. 

In episode 15 we heard about how has classical music has to think creatively to attract and retain a new audience, Well, for contemporary music, the problem is far bigger.

With guests Jess Gillam, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Sadie Harrison, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, Daniel Kidane, Nico Muhly, John Pickard, Samir Savant and Jörg Widmann.

Written and presented by Julian Leeks.

Music

In The Steps of Apollo by Julian Leeks (performed by Zelkova String Quartet).

Beehive by Julian Leeks (Note Performer demo version recorded for our sponsors)

For more info about Sound World visit sound-world.org

Today’s episode of A land without music? is another of our bonus, full length interview episodes. Our guest was the world’s first full-time solo percussionist. She’s released over 40 cds, she's won Grammys and she had a prominent role in the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

She’s collaborated with Björk, Mark Knopfler & Underworld. And as far as we know she’s the only person in the overlapping section of the Venn diagram for people who have appeared on A land without music? and people who have appeared on Sesame St.

Written and presented by Julian Leeks.

Music

The Grace of Silence by Evelyn Glennie (performed by Harriet Riley and Paul Israel). Listen on Apple Music or Spotify

In The Steps of Apollo by Julian Leeks (performed by Zelkova String Quartet).

Beehive by Julian Leeks (Note Performer demo version recorded for our sponsors)

For more info about Sound World visit sound-world.org

A land without music?

In this episode of A land without music?,  we’re focusing on classical music - it’s image, how it presents itself and how it relates to the modern world.

With guests Sally Beamish, Jess Gillam, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Sadie Harrison, Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, Daniel Kidane, Nico Muhly, Simon Opher MP, John Pickard, Samir Savant and Jörg Widmann.

Written and presented by Julian Leeks.

Music

The Grace of Silence by Evelyn Glennie (performed by Harriet Riley and Paul Israel). Listen on Apple Music or Spotify

In The Steps of Apollo by Julian Leeks (performed by Zelkova String Quartet).

Beehive by Julian Leeks (Note Performer demo version recorded for our sponsors)

For more info about Sound World visit sound-world.org