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Donald Macleod talks to Debbie Wiseman about the importance of versatility in her work as a screen composer.

Debbie Wiseman has over two hundred credits for her music, ranging from television and film, to the concert hall and music for royal pageantry. Not only is she a multi-award winning composer, but also a pianist and conductor, often performing in and recording her own works. Wiseman also works as a Visiting Professor at a number of academic institutions including the Royal College of Music. As a composer for the concert hall, Wiseman has collaborated with Hayley Westenra, Stephen Fry, Nigel Havers, Vanessa Redgrave and Alan Titchmarsh. She has provided music for two royal anniversaries, including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrated on the river Thames. Donald Macleod visits Debbie Wiseman at her home in London to discuss her long and varied career.

Today, they discuss the film composer's craft of evoking different worlds in music, and how important it is to be versatile. Her work has included such diverse projects as period drama, Wolf Hall, the intense and disturbing film, Haunted, and the horror comedy, Lesbian Vampire Killers. Wiseman also discusses her process of writing her recent concert piece, inspired by the signs of the Zodiac.

Wolf Hall
The Locrian Ensemble of London
Debbie Wiseman, conductor

Wolf Hall (excerpts)
The Locrian Ensemble of London
Debbie Wiseman, conductor

The Musical Zodiac (excerpts)
Rolf Wilson, violin
Justin Pearson, cello
Ian Jones, piano
National Symphony Orchestra

Haunted (excerpts)
Studio Orchestra
Debbie Wiseman, conductor

Lesbian Vampire Killers (excerpts)
Hayley Westenra, vocalist
Crouch End Festival Chorus
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Debbie Wiseman, conductor

Produced by Luke Whitlock, for ±«Óãtv Wales