From the Archive: Brian Boydell in his own words

2017 marks the centenary year of Irish composer Brian Boydell’s birth. Boydell (1917–2000) was a prolific composer and was Professor of Music at Trinity College, Dublin for 20 years. He was a founder member of both the Music Association of Ireland and the Dowland Consort, which he directed. He was also conductor of the Dublin Orchestral Players and was a regular broadcaster on RTÉ throughout his career.

To coincide with a major conference on his work and music, CMC has selected a number of extracts from talks and interviews which the composer made for RTÉ over the years from its sound archive. These extracts are made available thanks to the permission from RTÉ Archives, and CMC is very grateful for this support.

Composers at Work

A series made in the late 1950s profiling Irish composers with studio performances of their work alongside a short talk by the featured composer.

My music does I hope reflect, in a less obvious way, the profound effect to which a country is bound to have on the character of an individual who is aware of his surroundings.

Speak your Mind

A very frank and forthright interview with the composer recorded in the early 1970s about a range of topics, including funding for the arts, music education, and his approach to composing.

I know that at heart I’m a romantic … I love a good old tune to wallow in.

In my time

Do audiences today go to concerts in order to indulge their critical faculties, and prove how clever they are? How many have forgotten that music can be a life-inspiring enjoyment?

The composer in 1981 on the importance of going beyond average performances and enjoying the actual music which is being performed.

The present state of music in Dublin

I often wonder myself whether the availability of state support through the Arts Council can occasionally give rise to some lack of incentive to put the required effort into management and publicity. I also wonder if there are in fact too many concerts available in Dublin.

An interval talk recorded in 1983 in which Brian Boydell assesses the then current state of music in Dublin.

All recordings © RTÉ, used by kind permission. For more information on these and other recordings, please contact us or visit our library.