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Brass, bells and Whitsun wells

To mark this year’s Whitsunday, Elizabeth Alker presents contemporary experimental and ambient artists who have been finding new approaches to brass band and Morris traditions.

The month of May is, of course, a fine time for Morris dancing, brass band parades, folksong celebrations, and well-dressing ceremonies. To mark this year’s Whitsunday, Elizabeth Alker presents a selection of music from a new crop of experimental and ambient artists who have been finding new approaches to centuries-old traditions. Martin Green’s music takes the brass band to new sonic territories; Orbury Common invent exciting pagan dance forms for 21st-century ears; and Gazelle Twin offers new takes on folkloric tropes.

Produced by Geoff Bird
A Reduced Listening production for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 3

1 hour

Music Played

  • Folklore Tapes

    Oxford Mayday Celebrations, 2010

    • The Ritual Year A.
    • Folklore Tapes.
  • Whitworth & Healey Vale Brass Band

    Procession / Sword Dance

    • A Web of Braided Willow (The Folklore of the Wickerman).
    • Folklore Tapes.
  • Laura Cannell, Stewart Lee & Kate Ellis

    GATHER THE VILLAGERS

    • THESE FERAL LANDS VOLUME 1.
    • Brawl Records.
  • Julianna Barwick

    Wishing Well

    • Healing Is A Miracle.
    • Ninja Tune.
  • The Ripley Wayfarers

    The Five Wells

    • Five Wells.
    • Tradition.
  • Martin Green

    VIOLET

    • Split the Air.
  • Rob St. John

    Bringing The May

    • Folklore Tapes Calendar Customs Box​-​Set.
    • Folklore Tapes.
  • Keeley Forsyth

    Turning

    • The Hollow.
    • 130701.
  • Marlais

    Warm At Last

    • Warm at Last.
  • Theatre of Voices

    Creator Spiritus

    • De Profundis.
    • harmonia mundi.
  • David Penfold

    Turtle Dove

    • Turtle Dove.
  • Arianne Churchman

    Fire Rites

    • The Folklore of the Wickerman.
    • Folklore Tapes.
  • Stick in the Wheel

    The Cuckoo VIP (EAN remix)

    Remix Artist: EAN.
    • The Cuckoo VIP (EAN remix).
  • Shirley Collins & Dolly Collins

    An Awakening - Whitsun Dance

    • Amaranth.
    • Harvest.
  • Orbury Common

    Constant Billy (feat. Boss Morris)

    • Devil Gurning EP.
    • PRAH Recordings.

Broadcast

  • Sun 19 May 2024 23:30

What is unclassified music?

What is unclassified music?

Elizabeth Alker introduces five of her favourite 'unclassifiable' pieces of music.