Seoirse Bodley (b. 1933)

Seoirse Bodley was recorded at his home in Dublin. He recalls his schooldays and his initial introduction to music. He was taught to play the mandolin by his father, who was a huge influence on his young life. He was always fascinated by the sounds of various instruments, and would regularly be found at Piggotts in Dublin, who had a system of hiring out musical instruments. He studied at UCD for his B. Mus. Degree, and in 1955 he left for Germany to continue his musical studies. From 1957–1959 he was based in Stuttgart, where he studied piano, composition and conducting. He was appointed part-time music lecturer in UCD once his studies in Germany were completed, and he discusses his long career there. His inspiration for his own compositions is discussed, his work for RTÉ, and the highlights such as his composition played at the opening of the new National Concert Hall. He has fond memories of his association with Aloys Fleischmann and is proud of the fact that Aloys was an admirer of his work.