Discovering Music

Jonathan Harvey

Electronic Music

Sunday 17 February 2008 17:00-18:30 (Radio 3)

Alwynne Pritchard takes us on a journey through the rich and colourful landscape of electronic music with composer Jonathan Harvey discussing his Mortuos Plango, Vivos Voco and pioneering works by Varese and Stockhausen.

The BBC is grateful to Professor Michael Clarke Director of the Electroacoustic Music Studio at the University of Huddersfield for his assistance in making this programme, and in particular for his permission to use his innovative software analysis of Jonathan Harvey's piece which features in chapter 6 of the book Analytical Methods of Electroacoustic Music, edited by Mary Simoni.

Duration:

1 hour 30 minutes

Electronic Music in Pictures

The Theme Tune from Dr Who

Delia Derbyshire and Desmond Briscoe
Delia Derbyshire at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop with Desmond Briscoe in the background

Alwynne Pritchard and Jonathan Harvey

Alwynne Pritchard interviewing Jonathan Harvey for the programme at Huddersfield Festival of Contemporary Music
in November 2007

Mortuos Plango Vivos Voco

News image
Winchester Cathedral

The Latin Text is inscribed on the tenor bell in the Bell Chamber at Winchester Cathedral:

Horas Avolantes Numero, Mortuos Plango: Vivos ad Preces Voco

I count the fleeting hours, I lament the dead: the living I call to prayer

The Tenor Bell

Horas Avolantes Numero

News image
Mortuos Plango

Vivos ad Preces Voco

Electronic Music

Listen to the programme

Playlist

Dr Who Theme
Ron Grainer
Dr Who at the Radiophonic Workshop
Vol. 1: The Early Years 1963-1969
BBC Records WMSF60232
Track 1

Poeme Electronique
Edgard Varese
Stereo Version of the original 4 track tape
Live 3
Asko Ensemble cond Cliff Crego
Attacca - Babel 9263-2
Track 10

Gesang de Junglinge
Karlheinz Stockhausen
Stockhausen cd 3
Track 4

Mortuos Plango, Vivos Voco
Jonathan Harvey
Sargasso Records SCD28029
Track 2