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Front Row: Damon Albarn in his studio

Damon Albarn in his studio

07/05/2012

BBC Radio 4 - Front Row, Damon Albarn in his studio

John Wilson meets musician Damon Albarn in his studio, as he prepares for a busy summer.

John Wilson meets Damon Albarn at work in his studio, surrounded by instruments, as he prepares for the return of his opera Dr Dee and Blur's concert at the end of the Olympics.

In a special edition, John Wilson meets Damon Albarn at work in his studio, surrounded by instruments, as he prepares for a busy summer. 

He's helping to launch the London 2012 Festival with the return of his opera Dr Dee, which is inspired by the Elizabethan alchemist and visionary, and his band Blur are marking the end of the Olympics with a big Hyde Park concert. 

Damon begins his day spinning a 78rpm disc on his wind-up gramophone, and the tour of his studio includes the sounds of his specially-commissioned church bells and a Soviet-era Russian synthesizer. 

Turning the pages of a large 17th century book about Dr Dee and the angels, he reflects on his interests in the magical ideas of the period. He also reveals his views on the future of his band Blur - and turns to his studio piano to perform the opening section of a brand new Blur song, which will be released later this year. 

Producer John Goudie.

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