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George Benjamin and Composing

Donald Macleod is joined by Sir George Benjamin, who talks about the process of composing.

Donald Macleod is joined by Sir George Benjamin to talk about his compositional process.

Composer of the Week marks the sixtieth birthday of the celebrated British composer Sir George Benjamin. All this week Benjamin joins Donald Macleod in the studio to provide listeners with personal insights into his music and distinguished career. They discuss the composer's musical connections, his inspirations, his interest in collaboration, the compositional process, and his work as a pianist, conductor and teacher.

Marking the sixtieth birthday of Sir George Benjamin, the composer joins Donald Macleod to talk about his compositional process. Benjamin describes his need for total isolation when he’s writing music, and reveals how he deals with blocks.

Panorama
Tape

A Mind of Winter
Penelope Walmsley-Clark, soprano
London Sinfonietta
George Benjamin, conductor

Dance Figures
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Symphony Orchestra
Oliver Knussen, conductor

Dream of the Song
Bejun Mehta, countertenor
NDR Choir
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra
George Benjamin, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Wales.

Photo credit: Matthew Lloyd

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Sir George Benjamin

    Panorama

    Performer: Tape..
    • NIMBUS : NI5643.
    • NIMBUS.
    • 6.
  • Sir George Benjamin

    A Mind Of Winter

    Performer: London Sinfonietta. Conductor: Sir George Benjamin. Singer: Penelope Walmsley-Clark.
    • NIMBUS : NI5643.
    • NIMBUS.
    • 2.
  • Sir George Benjamin

    Dance Figures

    Orchestra: ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Oliver Knussen.
    • NIMBUS : NI5828.
    • NIMBUS.
    • 9.
  • Sir George Benjamin

    Dream Of The Song

    Singer: Bejun Mehta. Choir: North German Radio Choir. Orchestra: North German Radio Orchestra.

Broadcast

  • Tue 8 Dec 2020 12:00

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