Delia Derbyshire: Doctor Who Theme | Light and sound #adabox10 @adafruit
We’ve enjoyed playing around with the iconic Doctor Who sound palette, and wanted celebrate the frequently overlooked electronic music pioneer behind its realization, Delia Derbyshire.
“Although the music was written by Ron Grainer, an outside composer hired by the BBC, it was Workshop member Delia Derbyshire who masterminded the otherworldly production. Upon hearing it, a very impressed Grainer barely recognized it as his composition. Due to BBC policies at the time, Grainer — against his objections — is still officially credited as the sole writer.” – The Atlantic
Disbanded in 1998 after 40 years, the BBC Radiophonic Workshop was co-founded by yet another electronic music pioneer, Daphne Oram.
“In the 1950s, Oram became intrigued by the potential of tape recording to transform music by exploding space and time. She was a fan of musique concrète, regularly staying up all night to mix her own tracks. In 1958, after years of badgering the BBC to modernize its music, Oram and her colleague Desmond Briscoe were given a room with some old equipment. Thus began the workshop.
Oram, however, left after just a year. The BBC asked her to take six months off, saying it was concerned that the equipment might have adverse effects on the human body. So she quit.” – Nature
For a truly fascinating look in to Derbyshire’s story and work, check out the wonderful documentary by Kara Blake called, The Delian Mode.
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