Dead Reeds
Without its reeds, the Uilleann pipes make no music. Pipers Paddi Benson and Grace Lemon explore stories bound up in the instrument’s reeds, including those that no longer play.
Pipers are at the mercy of their reeds – a reed might sing beautifully until caught by sudden failure or gradual withering. In acknowledging their fragility, Paddi and Grace expose personal stories of life and death. They retrace the lifecycles of reeds – from their birth as cane to their uncertain existence in the hands of harvesters, makers and players – uncovering stories of connectivity, migration and memory, from earth to sound.
The narrative is interwoven with original music and interviews from pipers Mick O’Brien, Máire Ni Ghráda, Bill Haneman as well interviews with musicians, reed makers and cane harvesters.
Produced by Niamh O’Brien
Presented by Paddi Benson and Grace Lemon.
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 9th November, 6pm-7pm
