Born in Salford in the 1930s, one of the composer's first musical memories was listening to foxtrot records under his parents' staircase as the bombs were falling during World War Two. In the 1960s, he was considered the “enfant terrible” of new British music, writing the soundtrack for Ken Russell's controversial film, The Devils, and even provoking an audience walk-out during the BBC Proms. However, his music and life was to change as he came under the spell of the Orkney islands, which he first visited in the early 1970s before moving there a few years later, and where he remained for the rest of his life. Donald Macleod twice visited the composer in Orkney, and begins the week with an exploration of how the islands' landscape, history, environment, myths and its people inspired his work.
Tuesday: From plainchant to foxtrots: how Peter delved into the past for musical inspiration that shocked 1960s audiences.
Wednesday: the lifelong mission to improve the musical life of young people and to break down the barriers between composer, performer and audience.
Thursday: Composing in a crofthouse in the Orkneys overlooking the ocean: how the landscape and people of the islands influenced Peter’s music.
Friday: the composer’s journey from enfant terrible to Master of the Queen's Music, his music for the Anglican liturgy and his last symphony.
Tuesday: From plainchant to foxtrots: how Peter delved into the past for musical inspiration that shocked 1960s audiences.
Wednesday: the lifelong mission to improve the musical life of young people and to break down the barriers between composer, performer and audience.
Thursday: Composing in a crofthouse in the Orkneys overlooking the ocean: how the landscape and people of the islands influenced Peter’s music.
Friday: the composer’s journey from enfant terrible to Master of the Queen's Music, his music for the Anglican liturgy and his last symphony.
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