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The Radiophonic Workshop

Matthew Sweet meets members of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop and hears about their pioneering work with electronic music.

The BBC Radiophonic workshop was founded in 1958 by Desmond Briscoe and Daphne Oram. This group of experimental composers, sound engineers and musical innovators provided music for programmes including The Body in Question, Horizon, Quatermass, Newsround, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Chronicle and Delia Derbyshire's iconic Doctor Who Theme before being shut down by Director General John Birt in 1998.

In an edition recorded just as the Workshop prepare to release a new album, and tour the UK, Matthew Sweet brings together Radiophonic Workshop members Dick Mills, Paddy Kingsland, Roger Limb, Peter Howell, and Mark Ayres to reflect on the days and nights they spent in the workshop, coaxing ageing machines into otherworldly life, and pioneering electronic music. Also in the programme, producer and former drummer with The Prodigy Kieron Pepper, Oscar winning Gravity composer Steven Price, Vile Electrodes, and Matt Hodson, on the influence the Radiophonic Workshop had on them.

Producer: Laura Thomas

You can download this programme by searching in the Arts and Ideas podcasts for the broadcast date.

Available now

44 minutes

BBC Radiophonic Workshop

Taking part in the programme:

Dick Mills

Mark Ayres

Roger Limb

Peter Howell

Paddy Kingsland

Matthew Howden

Kieron Pepper

Vile Electrodes

Steven Price

Credits

RoleContributor
PresenterMatthew Sweet
Interviewed GuestDick Mills
Interviewed GuestPaddy Kingsland
Interviewed GuestRoger Limb
Interviewed GuestPeter Howell
Interviewed GuestMark Ayres
Interviewed GuestKieron Pepper
Interviewed GuestSteven Price
Interviewed GuestMatt Hodson
ProducerLaura Thomas

Broadcasts

  • Wed 30 Apr 201422:00
  • Mon 19 Jan 201522:00
  • Thu 6 Aug 202022:00

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