Between the Ears: Miniatures

Original version

BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

Between the Ears

Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Innovative and thought-provoking features on a wide variety of subjects

Innovative and thought-provoking features that make adventurous use of sound and explore a wide variety of subjects. Made by leading radio producers.

Between the Ears: Miniatures: Creation of the Birds

The Gallery: Creation of the Birds

Creation of the Birds

Miniatures

BBC Radio 3 - Between the Ears, Miniatures, Creation of the Birds

Sami El-Enany's part tone poem, part narrative reimagining of Remedios Varo’s painting.

Creation of the Birds is a tone poem, composed and produced by Sami El-Enany, based on the painting by Remedios Varo of the same name.

Five audio-makers from around the world take over The Essay to offer a series of Radio 3's innovative Between the Ears features in miniature. Each edition takes an image as its starting point - from a radio producer who finds herself caught in a news image to a painting come to life.

Creation of the Birds is a tone poem, composed and produced by Sami El-Enany, based on the painting by Remedios Varo of the same name. 

Varo’s painting depicts an anthropomorphic owl sitting at a desk drawing a series of birds with a musical brush. After being drawn, the birds are imbued with starlight refracted from a magnifying lens and come to life. 

A look at the private life of an artist, the origins of inspiration, and an ode to the personalities of beautiful birds and the landscapes they inhabit. This fantastical exploration of the metamorphosis from an abstract idea to a finished artwork is in three movements - The Skylark, The Oystercatcher and The Blackbird.

Owlman performed by Joe Winnsmith
String necklace performed by David Denyer
Birdsong performed by Jessica Winter

Composed and Produced by Sami El-Enany
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 3

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Audio-makers from around the world offer innovative Between the Ears features in miniature

Audio-makers from around the world take over The Essay to offer a series of Radio 3's innovative Between the Ears features in miniature.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Between the Ears

Miniatures

Creation of the Birds

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 3

About BBC Radio 3