I’ve posted about Delia Derbyshire many moons ago and I just came across this presentation from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop that originally aired in 1965. 

The Doctor Who theme was composed by Ron Grainer but he had only made a basic outline of the song. Grainer then handed it over to Derbyshire (who he stated deserved co-composer credit for her arrangement but Derbyshire was a “workshop assistant” and the BBC kept assistant contributions anonymous so Derbyshire’s contribution went unnoted).

Derbyshire had to record thousands of electronic sounds onto tapes (this was prior to the use of computers and synthesizers), adjusting each individual note and then splicing those notes together to craft a melody. She didn’t know it at the time but she was creating not only the sound of Doctor Who but a style of music that would become synonymous with science fiction. 

You can listen to the original theme here. While you’re listening, think about the hundreds of hours of labor that went into producing this iconic and enduring music. 

(Oh, I basically cribbed the above info from here to properly give credit where it’s due)

(Oh 2, here’s a list of ‘10 Female Electronic Music Pioneers You Should Know’ which notes that Derbyshire’s Doctor Who theme was “astonishingly ahead-of-its-time” and “one of the first entirely electronic pieces of music to be used on TV anywhere.”

Daphne Oram recorded a little electronic piece based around her cat.

mahhhvelousscaaarvelis:

What happens when you are recording and your cat says hello? ADORBS.

Daphne Oram - Purring Interlude.  Early Female Electronic Music Pioneer.