Memory, Loss, and Music’s Universal Power

Marking the centenary of the Armistice, Tom Service talks to three composers writing music in response to war: Mira Calix on her sound installation at the Tower of London, 'Beyond the Deepening Shadows' featuring music for voices performed by Solomon's Knot; Dario Marianelli on 'The Unknown Soldier' at the Royal Ballet; and David Lang on ‘Memorial Ground’, originally written for the centenary of the Battle of the Somme in 2016. Tom travels to Paris and joins Jean Rondeau at the harpsichord to delve into the music of French composer Francois Couperin, 350 years after his birth, and talks to musicologist Theodora Psychoyou about the vast range and colour of his keyboard works. Composer, writer and singer Kerry Andrew discusses a new piece she's written for the Ligeti Quartet inspired by her experience with tinnitus and talks to clinical audiologist Rekesh Patel about living with the condition. And Santanu Das sheds light on the role of music in the Indian war experience as highlighted in his new book, 'India, Empire, and First World War Culture', including a folk song reconstructed and performed by Jasdeep Singh and Amanroop Kaur.