Derek Ball talks to Michael Quinn about his life as a composer since retiring from a career in psychiatric medicine, his new-found love of opera, musical, literary and linguistic influences, and future works.
Copyright ©2008 Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland.
An Interview with Derek Ball
Episode 1
[8.2M; 17:41] mp3 clip
Leaving medicine to compose full-time
The large amount of work he has produced in recent years
What triggers an idea for a piece
Working with Gabriel Rosenstock on XOLOTL
Music excerpts used:
0:00 & 5:35
Shrub Replanted
7:45
Passant de Maupassant de mauvais passant
12:35
XOLOTL
Episode 2
[7.8M; 16:52] mp3 clip
Compositional methods and process
New-found enthusiasm for writing opera
Psychiatric themes throughout his work
Working with librettists
Using the Irish language in composition
Music excerpts used:
0:00
Shrub Replanted
2:45
Bad Heaviness
6:57
Cuisle na Bóchna
14:45
Eavesdrop
Derek Ball was interviewed on video by Michael Quinn in the Contemporary Music Centre, Dublin, on 15 November 2007.
The views expressed in this interview are those of the persons concerned and are not necessarily those of the Contemporary Music Centre.
