Sound dreams: The making of a world-class composer
From a young age Errollyn Wallen was told she was nothing special. She had no idea of the scale of her musical talent – until she shared the sounds in her head with the world.
Errollyn Wallen is one of the most-played living composers on the planet. As a girl, she had an insatiable passion for playing the piano and her head was filled with a near-constant soundtrack of music and sound. It feels like a story of destiny – but there were many times when her eventual success was very much in doubt. Born in Belize, she moved to London at the age of two and was raised by her aunt and uncle. Her uncle Arthur’s strict nature dominated her childhood, but he was also the first to recognise the composer within. Despite the obstacles of a possessive aunt and musical directors who felt composing was beyond a woman’s reach, it eventually burst forth in the form of 22 operas and numerous concertos, symphonies, song cycles and chamber works.
Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producers: Rob Wilson and Anna Lacey
Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707
(Photo: Errollyn Wallen. Credit: Al Pereira/Getty Images)
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