Celebrating the century of Daphne Oram's birth: A compilation showcasing once-unreleased archival audio from her career.
In an exciting development for the world of electronic music, a new compilation album titled "vari/ations - Ode To Oram" is set to be released on November 14th, 2025, by UK-based label Nonclassical in partnership with the Daphne Oram Trust. The album, which marks Oram's centenary, aims to honour the groundbreaking work of this pioneering composer and electronic musician.
Daphne Oram, born in December of a centenary year, is best known for co-founding the BBC's Radiophonic Workshop and inventing the Oramics Machine. This innovative device, which used markings drawn on strips of 35mm film to control electronic sound generators, allowed the user to sequence musical patterns with control over pitch, amplitude, timbre, and reverb, essentially acting as a rudimentary synthesizer.
The album features a diverse line-up of electronic artists, including Cosey Fanni Tutti, Marta Salogni, Arushi Jain, TAAHLIAH, Deena Abdelwahed, Nwando Ebizie, Lola de la Mata, among others. Cosey Fanni Tutti, who has expressed her privilege in working with Daphne Oram's sounds, will contribute a track titled "Tributum," which is available to listen to online.
The Oram Archive, an extensive collection of sounds, is being used in the album. This treasure trove of audio contains recordings of the Oramics Machine and Oram's voice, as well as sounds from over 280 of Oram's audio tapes, many of which have never been heard before.
The tracklist for Side A of the album includes works by Cosey Fanni Tutti, TAAHLIAH, Magz Hall & Mieko Shimizu, Nwando Ebizie, and xname. Side B features compositions by Deena Abdelwahed, Lola de la Mata, Arushi Jain, afromerm & abi asisa, and Marta Salogni.
To further celebrate Oram's legacy, a series of concerts across the UK will see the artists featured on "vari/ations - Ode To Oram" performing live. One of these concerts will take place at London's Barbican Centre on November 14th.
The Daphne Oram Trust, an organization dedicated to honoring Oram's legacy, is overseeing the project. The Trust's mission is to ensure that Oram's innovative work continues to inspire future generations of electronic musicians.
Pre-orders for the album are now available. "vari/ations - Ode To Oram" is a testament to Oram's enduring influence and experimental vision, and a fitting tribute to a true pioneer of electronic music.
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