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The Coventry-born music pioneer behind the Dr Who theme

Born in Coventry in 1937, Delia Derbyshire joined the 成人论坛 in 1960 as a trainee Assistant Studio Manager. In 1962 she transferred to the 成人论坛 Radiophonic Workshop in Maida Vale, where she would create some of her most influential work, including her iconic arrangement of the Dr Who theme tune.

Discover the enormous range of Delia’s creativity through Radio 3 Breakfast's five musical mixes celebrating her extraordinary influence.

Delia Derbyshire
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From Coventry to the 成人论坛 Radiophonic Workshop

We begin with Delia's most famous work - her 1963 arrangement of the Dr Who theme

This mix features music from...

Ron Grainer: Dr Who Theme (1963)
Arranged by Delia Derbyshire

Delia Derbyshire: Towards Tomorrow (1967)

Delia Derbyshire: Talk Out (1964)

Delia Derbyshire: Delia's Idea (1969)

Delia Derbyshire: Dance from “Noah” (1971)

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The enormous range of Delia's creativity

Unearthly sounds created for The Sky At Night

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Delia Derbyshire: Mattachin (c1968)

Delia Derbyshire: Delia's Dream (1969)

Delia Derbyshire: Door to Door (1968)

Delia Derbyshire: The Delian Mode (by 1968)

Delia Derbyshire: Environmental Studies (1969)

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From the Sahara to outer space

Music created for a 1968 documentary using the sound of a metal lampshade

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Delia Derbyshire: Blue Veils and Golden Sands (1967)

Delia Derbyshire: Delia’s Psychadelian Waltz [sic]

Maurice Abrahms: Get Out and Get Under
Arranged by Delia Derbyshire

Delia Derbyshire: Great Zoos of the World (1969)

Delia Derbyshire: Planetarium

Delia Derbyshire: Blue Veils and Golden Sands (1967)

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Transforming Bach and sampling Stravinsky

Music from sci-fi series Out of the Unknown with sounds created by Delia鈥檚 鈥渨obbulator鈥�

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Delia Derbyshire: Ziwzih Ziwzih OO-OO-OO (1966)

Delia Derbyshire: Fresh Aire (1969)

J S Bach: Air
Arranged by Delia Derbyshire (1968 or earlier)

Delia Derbyshire & David Vorhaus: Firebird (1967)
Vocals: John Whitman

Delia Derbyshire: Way out (c1969)

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Beyond the 成人论坛

From Delia's first TV theme music to her last collaboration

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Delia Derbyshire: Time on our Hands (1962)

Delia Derbyshire: Pot au Feu (c1968)

Delia Derbyshire: Delia's Fulfilment (1969)

Delia Derbyshire & and Peter Kember (): Synchrondipity Machine (2001)

Ron Grainer: Dr Who Theme (1963)
Arranged by Delia Derbyshire

Delia Derbyshire: Time to Go (1959)

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