Radio 3’s Composers’ Rooms

Sara Mohr-Pietsch visits the Leicestershire home of Gavin Bryars, where he composes in a converted garage in his garden. Bryars talks about the interaction between his work and family life, how he finds the mental space he needs to write music, and the inspiration he draws into his studio from places around the world.

Sara Mohr-Pietsch visits the East London studio of sound artist and electronic composer Kaffe Matthews. Kaffe shows Sara the bikes she uses for her bicycle operas, demonstrates the cube of speakers where she plays with sharks, and talks about the creative process in her constantly changing workspace.

Sara Mohr-Pietsch launches her Composers' Rooms series with an interview at the Suffolk home of Oliver Knussen, one of the most celebrated figures in contemporary music. Knussen explains why he works in the corner of his cottage kitchen, and talks to Sara about his fascination for miniature objects and how that translates into the music he writes.