Delia Derbyshire - Dreams
Andy | April 10, 2008 | 11:30 am
Delia Derbyshire is probably most famous for creating the Dr Who theme tune but, as a part of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, she created a series of compositions throughout the 1960’s which stand out for their originality and forward thinking. Delia was one of the first composers to create music from purely electronic sources, relying on basic synthesizers and looping techniques. These compositions remain as relevant now as they were then - Rephlex even went so far as to lovingly issue a 4×10″ box set a few years ago (which is now rare as rocking-horse shit) as the BBC compositions were getting sampled so heavily by the early dubstep scene.
Part of the four programme Inventions for Radio series (1964), created in collaboration with Barry Bermange, Dreams is a collection of spliced/reassembled interviews with people describing their dreams.
Delia’s editing and repetition, together with her dissonant, often terrifying musique concrete soundbeds, make this distinctly uneasy bedtime listening. Little fluffy clouds this is not!!
For more information go to her site and download the clips and keep your eyes on ebay for that box set!
