The Radiophonic Workshop In Public

A day of talks, open sessions and events based around the work of the New Radiophonic Workshop, relaunched this summer as part of thespace.org.

Listen to Matthew Herbert talk about the workshop:

Also present are previous members of the original BBC Radiophonic Workshop discussing the heritage and legacy of this vital, highly influential part of British electronic music history. This is a rare public appearance for the Workshop, leading a unique and unmissable day for those interested in the future of sound as well as electronic music and its technologies. The event can in some ways be seen as an audit of where the world of sound is currently at, 14 years after the original BBC Radiophonic Workshop closed its doors at Maida Vale.

The original Workshop's role was to create new sounds, music and sound effects for BBC programmes. It quickly became the most important electronic music studio in the UK, creating innovative, ground-breaking work in often very mainstream and visible ways.

Its most famous creation is the Doctor Who theme music, although it is known as much for the pioneering work of the individuals who worked there including the rare opportunity for women such as Daphne Oram and Delia Derbyshire to experiment as equals.

The day features hour-long discussions around sound, music, listening, technology, BBC R&D and the history of the Workshop. There are a range of contributors, including its new creative director Matthew Herbert, Mandy Parnell, Jez Nelson, Micachu, Paul Morley, Yann Seznec, James Mather, Max de Wardener, Dr Harry Witchell, Dr Mike Goldsmith, Mark Bell, Dick Mills and many others.

There is also the chance for members of the audience to participate in documenting the day. Recordings of the day will be available to remix on thespace.org.