Interview Debbie Wiseman

Debbie Wiseman grew up in a vibrant cultural environment in north west London, where she discovered an early passion for music and started composing at only eight years old.Wiseman is also known for her regular collaborations with British directors Peter Kosminsky, John Hay, Brian Gilbert, Simon Hunter and the late Lewis Gilbert. Her work has been recognized with wins and nominations at the Grammys and the Ivor Novello Awards. Wiseman has been Composer in Residence at the UK's number 1 classical music station Classic FM since 2015. Debbie is know for her scores to Wolf Hall, Arsène Lupin, Wilde, Flood, Father Brown, and many more. Wiseman doesn’t just operate in the constraints of film and television, as she is frequently asked to compose albums for special occasions. She composed The Music of Kings and Queens, an album honouring the 95th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, and was the official composer and musical director of the Platinum Jubilee Celebration at Windsor in May 2022. It was in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2018 that Wiseman was awarded the OBE for her services to music. Wiseman was commissioned by His Majesty the King to compose the two Gospel Alleluias which were performed in Westminster Abbey at the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

A brand new album with her music for film and television will be released in October this year for the World Soundtrack Awards. In this new edition of Composer Talk I have had the opportunity to talk to her just before the start of the recording sessions for that album with the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Dirk Brossé. She talks about her passion for music, her music for Wilde, Mythos and Arsène Lupin. How it was writing music for the coronation and off course the new album that has been recorded for the WSA.

Enjoy listening!

Photo credit: Film Fest Gent / Anne Vandepitte